Robert Stasko, Executive Director of Hydrogen Business Council
Robert Stasko
Robert Stasko is the Executive Director and COO at the Hydrogen Business Council (HBC). He has a masters degree in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Having a career in energy and emerging technologies, he aims to be at the forefront of decarbonisation in Canada.
The Next Big Thing
As a kid, Robert loved to be hands on and technical. Piecing together his first transistor radio at 10 (when transistors were new!) he was always interested in the next ‘big’ thing. He wanted to bridge the gap between engineering and science.
He started his career at OPG working as a Health Physicist designing safety systems and was involved with CANDU nuclear operations and nuclear fusion research. For 10 years, he was involved with the Ontario Centre of Excellence. He co-funded research at universities for applications used by private companies. He gained contacts across universities and became aware of the latest technological trends.
Through experience, he became less interested in ideas for start-ups and more interested in mature technology on the verge of commercialization. He was looking for technology that had ‘Bang for buck on decarbonisation. He pivoted towards solutions that were near term. He worked together with the Ontario government to develop programs and policies for a greener grid.
He then started looking at energy storage for intermittent clean energy sources such as solar and wind. He cofounded an organization called Energy storage Ontario in 2014. Energy storage can be used to capture and store the otherwise displaced energy produced by these intermittent sources when electricity demand is low. The energy stored can then be used when electricity demand is high.
The Hydrogen Business Council
In 2018, Robert joined the Hydrogen Business Council (HBC). He sees hydrogen as a near term solution to decarbonisation. It is a great storage medium for intermittent sources such as solar and wind. Once produced by these clean sources, it can then be used as a clean source of energy for various industries such as transportation in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).
The Hydrogen Business Council was founded 5 years ago by members with a common goal of decarbonisation. It started as a non-funding entity where most of the employees are volunteers. The agenda was to develop hydrogen projects between potential producers and end users, in the GTA.
They host online events, conferences where panels of speakers discuss opportunities for the benefits of hydrogen. These initiates are great as they are where contacts are made and projects are initiated. Without government funding it was hard to start out these projects.
They also have a focus on raising awareness on hydrogen. This is to influence policy in both the federal and provincial government levels. It is usually hard to find funding to initiate projects so having relevant government policies will ensure that the proper funding is available for these kind of projects.
As sponsors are coming in and cofounding is occurring, HBC hopes to build up its presence.
Stronger Together
Ontario is looking for surrogates, mostly non-profits to achieve their climate action targets. They will empower them with money and policy to complete projects and to bring them closer to these targets. HBC aims to be a part of this initiative but will have to build up capacity to manage projects.
Similar to HBC, the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is a Canadian non-profit organization aiming to advance the use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. They want to represent all of Canada, and are taking on like-minded affiliates across Canada such as Hydrogene Quebec. Soon HBC will be the Ontario affiliate. This will allow more awareness, reach and funding availability for the new unit. They will be looking to expand and hire excited and driven individuals to contribute.
He emphasizes the urgency to achieve decarbonisation. The new equilibrium is not very promising and the weather is already becoming unpredictable. Case and point, heatwaves in BC caused fatalities in summer 2020. The consensus is that the technology is available now. Now is the time to break ground.
Teaming up with WIRE
Robert is a proud supporter of WIRE. He has been involved with WIRE’s Speed Mentoring sessions and WIRE volunteers have gone to volunteer with HBC. As he puts it, he is a big fan, even though he Is a dude!
Closing Remarks
Learn as much as you can by attending the WIRE virtual events. Students who have worked in HBC have gone on to work for other companies having an influence in the future. Learn the jargon, speak the language. Network with the companies involved. It’s easy to apply for a job online now; You are a part of a huge pool. Be proactive. Figure out how to have a face to face conversation. Call the hiring manager!! Reach out to the person who you will actually be working with. Posting on LinkedIn on company posts’ will also get you noticed!