SoCalGas Joins Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Electrochaea to Help Advance Gas Infrastructure Decarbonization – Hydrogen and CO2 into RNG.
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced its collaboration with Electrochaea and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on an innovative research project that aims to develop a single-stage electro-bioreactor to transform excess renewable electricity and biogas into carbon-neutral synthetic biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas (RNG). This approach could mark a significant advancement in power to gas technology and underscores the viability of potential for synthetic biomethane to help decarbonize natural gas infrastructure and its end uses from residential heating to manufacturing industries and transportation. SoCalGas has contributed to the project’s technical development and helped provide funding, which was also supported by a $1 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE).
Jawaad Malik, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at SoCalGas, said:
This technology is not just an innovative approach to energy generation; it has the potential to be a versatile solution that aligns with California’s vision for carbon neutrality by 2045.
“This project demonstrates our aspirations for a sustainable energy future and highlights how strategic collaborations can yield solutions designed to benefit the environment, the economy and our communities.”
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If developed at scale, this technology could increase the yield of RNG produced from carbon dioxide sources like anaerobic digesters, landfills, dairies, fermentation facilities or industrial processes. The hybrid bioreactor and electrolyzer system harnesses the power of Electrochaea’s proprietary microbial biocatalyst, which consumes hydrogen and carbon dioxide, transforming these inputs into RNG.
Simon Pang, a materials scientist in LLNL’s Materials Science Division who heads the project, said:
We believe this technology will help enable decarbonization of the natural gas grid infrastructure by providing a renewable source of natural gas.
“This renewable natural gas can be moved and used in existing infrastructure, allowing the technology to be deployed soon to meet green energy demand. Moreover, by producing pipeline-quality renewable natural gas from biogas, we can increase the value of biogas and reduce the likelihood that it will be vented to the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving local air quality.”
The two-year project aims to efficiently combine the processes of electrolysis and methanation in one streamlined unit. A single unit would simplify how the system works, bring efficiency, lower costs, and have a potential to adjust to changing energy demand and renewable electricity sources.
Dr. Doris Hafenbradl, Electrochaea’s Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director, said:
Electrochaea’s team is highly committed to contributing to a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly energy supply now and in the future. The new highly efficient single-stage bioreactor is an essential asset in this endeavor.
“We are excited to collaborate with SoCalGas and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who are undisputed leaders in their respective fields. The enthusiasm to continue and expand this collaborative effort is a testament to the shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on the energy landscape.”
Cleaner energy innovations designed to help decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors will be a key component of California’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. To that end, SoCalGas continues to develop Angeles Link, a proposed clean renewable hydrogen pipeline system to serve Southern and Central California. Angeles Link could be the nation’s largest clean renewable hydrogen pipeline system and help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty transportation, electric generation, industrial processes and other hard-to-electrify sectors of the California economy.
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SoCalGas Joins Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Electrochaea to Help Advance Gas Infrastructure Decarbonization – Hydrogen and CO2 into RNG. source
