Experienced Leadership

Drake Hernandez is a Senior Fellow at the Tulane Energy Law & Policy Center and a member of the Center’s Global Research Council. His work focuses on the commercialization of global carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and low-carbon fuels projects, with particular emphasis on the techno-commercial, regulatory, and policy challenges that affect their development. 

In addition to his role at Tulane, Mr. Hernandez is an Associate Principal in Charles River Associates’ (CRA) Energy Practice, where he leads the firm’s advisory work on low-carbon fuels and CCUS. He advises global clients, including multinational energy companies, investors, and developers, on investment strategy, regulatory risk, and project commercialization. He specializes in the evaluation of cross-border energy projects, leveraging his expertise in market and policy analysis to support strategic decision-making. His work helps clients assess project viability, navigate regulatory complexity, and structure long-term commercial agreements. 

Mr. Hernandez also serves as an expert in energy and infrastructure-related disputes. He has been engaged as both a testifying and consulting expert in contested proceedings, providing commercial insight and quantifying damages in cases involving contract breaches and investment disputes. His dispute-related work spans the low-carbon fuels, electric power, LNG, natural gas, and oil sectors. 

Beyond his roles at CRA and Tulane, he holds leadership positions within the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). His work has appeared in Applied Energy, the Energy Law Journal, Utility Dive, and other academic and industry publications. He frequently speaks at domestic and international forums on the regulation of low-carbon fuel infrastructure, market development, and integrated energy system planning. 

Mr. Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; Operations Research and Economics from The University of Texas and a Master of Science degree -Technology and Policy; Energy Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  While at MIT, Mr. Hernandez was a Panel Director and later Co-Managing Director of the MIT Energy Conference.