Fernando C. Hernandez

Fernando C. Hernandez began his career as a mechanic in 2002 with Plug Power, specializing in the cryogenic transportation of hydrogen, CO₂, and liquefied natural gas. He now serves as global chairman at the Society for Low Carbon Technologies and as a business ambassador to Scotland, appointed by its longest-serving first minister for his energy contributions. As CCS Brasil’s international founder, Hernandez helped shape South America’s first carbon capture and storage legal framework, approved by Brazil’s president. He is a multiaward-winning technologist with the UK’s Net Zero Technology Centre, supported by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, BP, and Equinor, for advancing low-carbon technologies. Hernandez’s trilingual fluency has facilitated global project execution and commercial initiatives. His expertise in foreign affairs, climate diplomacy, energy, and technology has led to engagements with presidents, ministers, and speaking engagements across four continents.

Carbon capture and storage

Proposal Presents New Funding Engine for Brazil’s Carbon Capture Deployment

The author writes that Brazil can benefit by mirroring what proved decisive for CCS deployment in the US through a sovereign fiscal regime anchored by monetizing verified storage.

August 11, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Scaling Storage in Brazil: From Ethanol Injection to Offshore Readiness With a National CCS Law

With Brazil enacting South America’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) law, this article examines the technical and regulatory architecture required to scale CCS deployment and provides exclusive insight into Brazil’s accelerating CCS landscape.

August 4, 2025 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Carbon capture and storage

Brazil Moves Toward Becoming the First South American Nation To Pass CCS Legislation

With the advancement of a legal framework for carbon capture and storage, Brazil is building CCS momentum. This article aims to shed light on what led to this momentum and what may come next.

December 21, 2023 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Risk management

Turkey and Russia's Impact on the Black Sea Becoming an Emerging Natural Gas Region

The Black Sea is where Turkey shares maritime borders not only with Russia and Ukraine, but also with EU nations such as Romania. Its significance is evolving, both regionally and globally.

June 23, 2023 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Energy transition

The Energy Basket: A 21st Century Solution to the Energy Transition’s Rhetoric and Its Consequences

The Russian/Ukrainian conflict has shown that a division between energy-transition rhetoric and reality can lead to profound global consequences by creating an imbalance in nations’ access to diverse flows of energy. The Energy Basket composition is determined by the demands and fluidity of the grid, as opposed to high-minded rhetoric.

August 29, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Business/economics

South America and the Caribbean: The Forming of Strategic Energy Alliances That Can Impact This Decade and the Next

Nations coming together with common interests and approaches to energy is a hallmark of the modern times. Nations in South America and the Caribbean are also joining the trend via strategic energy alliances as disclosed by the presidents of Guyana and Suriname at a recent conference in Suriname, Paramaribo.

July 13, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology
Energy transition

Russia/Ukraine War Puts the Energy Transition in Danger

As the world tries to shift to renewable energy, the war in Ukraine has underscored the struggle for the minerals and metals required. The conflict illustrates that nations that pursue net-zero strategies will have to contend and account for “greenwalls,” energy-transition deterrents created by crises or geopolitical events.

July 5, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Carbon capture and storage

Carbon Storage Potential Moves Toward CO2 and Energy Return on Financial Investment

Will CO2 storage resources increase the valuation of oil and gas companies and counterbalance environmental, social, and governance pressure?

May 12, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • HSE Now
Energy transition

How Frictional Energy Helps Explain The Geopolitical Consequences of Energy Transition

Recent events serve as a stark reminder that nations must ensure they have broad access to hydrocarbons and protect their power grids as they venture forward in the energy transition.

January 24, 2022 • Fernando C. Hernandez • Journal of Petroleum Technology