SoCalGas announces use of Renewable Hydrogen at Demonstration Microgrid
Sempra-owned Southern California Gas Co. has announced that its [H2} Innovation Experience in Downey is now using renewable hydrogen produced onsite to power a microgrid.
The [H2] Innovation Experience features a 2,000 square foot home, built to LEED Platinum standards, that uses power from solar panels on sunny days. It converts any excess energy into renewable hydrogen, which can be stored and converted to electricity as needed using an on-site hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen will be blended with natural gas and used for the water heater, clothes dryer, and gas stove, fireplace and BBQ grill.
The electrolyzer used at the site uses solar power to split water. This electrolyzer has produced first kilogram of renewable hydrogen, which can power a fuel cell.
"The production of the first kilogram of renewable hydrogen by SoCalGas is a key milestone as we prepare to welcome visitors to our [H2] Innovation Experience in the coming months," said Neil Navin, Vice President of Clean Energy Innovations at SoCalGas. "This project shows the essential role clean fuels like renewable hydrogen can play in meeting California's clean energy and resiliency goals and highlights our progress toward making net zero a reality. And projects like this, along with efforts like those to develop a statewide hydrogen blending standard, have the potential to drive down the costs of renewable hydrogen, making it a valuable tool to help decarbonize California."
"On behalf of my council colleagues and myself, I would like to congratulate SoCalGas on this momentous achievement," added Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco. "The use of green hydrogen could greatly reduce carbon emissions and help in our fight against climate change. By building on the benefits of using hydrogen generated by renewable energy, our city can continue to be at the forefront of technology and environmental sustainability."
