SoCalGas and H2U Technologies to Test New Technology that May Make Green Hydrogen at Dramatically Lower Cost. As hydrogen gains momentum as an important tool to address climate change, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced it will partner with H2U Technologies, Inc. to conduct demonstration testing of a new, less expensive type of PEM electrolyzer, a device that produces green hydrogen from water and renewable electricity.
According to early analysis by H2U Technologies, the cost target of the new technology is half that of current PEM electrolyzers and total cost of ownership over its life is expected to be 75% less. The announcement follows SoCalGas’ recent commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to invest in initiatives to decarbonize, diversify, and digitalize its business.
Electrolyzers use electricity to split water into its components—oxygen and hydrogen. When renewable electricity is used in this process no carbon dioxide emissions are created. This green hydrogen can then be used for clean transportation or industrial applications or blended with natural gas to lower the carbon content of the fuel. Green hydrogen offers the ability to store renewable electricity across months and seasons, an advantage over battery storage.
H2U Technology’s new electrolyzer, called the Gramme 50, is designed to be built in 200 kilowatt blocks that can be stacked to produce as much as 80 kilograms of green hydrogen a day, which could power up to 80 homes per day in a microgrid. The blocks can be manufactured in large numbers and added at any time to match hydrogen demand. SoCalGas’ research with H2U Technologies will also include validation studies on the performance of new non-precious metal catalysts, materials used in very small quantities to initiate and accelerate the chemical process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. In addition, the proposed research will include testing methods and materials that could reduce production costs and rapidly advance scale-up of manufacturing.
Neil Navin, SoCalGas vice president of clean energy innovations:
Innovations that make green hydrogen production more cost-effective and scalable are critical to providing clean, safe and reliable energy for the nearly 22 million Californians we serve while reaching our net-zero emissions goal
“Partnering with H2U Technologies will provide meaningful advancements that aim to move this important technology forward.”
Jim Disanto, H2U Technologies board chairman:
Renewable electricity production is expected to grow exponentially in California in the next two decades, so the ability to store it by producing green hydrogen will be crucial
“We’re excited to advance our electrolyzer technologies and new catalysts with the help of SoCalGas. It will be of great benefit to Californians and all of society.”
Janice Lin, founder and president of the Green Hydrogen Coalition:
The massive cost reduction potential H2U’s technology offers will further accelerate the scaled production and use of green hydrogen that’s already underway
“This is good news for our planet and for our economy—as we will be able to more quickly achieve multi-sectoral deep decarbonization and new investment and job creation opportunities concurrently.”
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
SoCalGas’ work with H2U Technologies is part of the utility’s Research, Development and Demonstration program, which collaborates with industry experts to identify, develop, test, and commercialize transformational new energy technologies designed to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, maintain energy affordability, and advance the safety and reliability of California’s energy delivery systems.
SoCalGas recently announced its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. In doing so, SoCalGas became the largest gas distribution utility in the nation to include scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions in its target, aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement’s recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5°C by achieving net zero by mid-century. For more information on SoCalGas’ mission and climate commitment to net zero by 2045, visit www.socalgas.com/mission.
SoCalGas and H2U Technologies Partner to Test New Technology that May Make Green Hydrogen at Dramatically Lower Cost, Apr 20, 2021
