Drake Hernandez

Associate Principal
Drake Hernandez | Energy | Charles River Associates

Drake Hernandez leads CRA’s low-carbon fuels and CCUS offering within the Energy Practice.

Mr. Hernandez advises global clients as they develop strategies and evaluate investments within the low-carbon fuels and CCUS sectors. His expertise lies in techno-commercial diligence of energy and infrastructure projects. He helps clients value projects and assess off-take agreements as deals come together. He has been engaged by corporations and investors on matters pertaining to project commercialization, strategic and techno-economic due diligence, and regulatory issues.

Mr. Hernandez has significant experience in energy-related disputes and has provided expert testimony within the sector. His dispute resolution experience spans assessment of liability and quantum of damages in commercial litigation and international arbitration matters related to energy projects and infrastructure. Drake has significant experience in disputes in the low-carbon fuels, natural gas, electric power, LNG, and oil sectors.

Drake’s work has been published in Applied Energy, the Energy Law Journal, Utility Dive, and other commercial and academic journals. Drake regularly speaks both domestically and internationally on matters related to the regulation of low-carbon fuel infrastructure, low-carbon fuel market development, and energy system planning.

Mr. Hernandez holds an MS in Technology and Policy, with a focus on energy economics and finance, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BS in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on operations research and economics, from the University of Texas at Austin.

Selected engagements

  • 01
    Assessing techno-commercial readiness, regulatory incentives for hydrogen shipping pathways
    CRA was engaged to assess the techno-commercial readiness of various intercontinental hydrogen shipping pathways.
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  • 02
    Buy-side commercial due diligence for ammonia export investment
    Situation CRA was engaged to conduct buy-side commercial due diligence ahead of a potential investment in a large-scale ammonia export project. CRA...
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  • 03
    Developing North American hydrogen market entry strategy for major international renewable and hydrogen developer
    Situation: A major international renewable and hydrogen developer were seeking support in developing a North American hydrogen market entry strategy. A team of...
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Credentials