SoCalGas Announces a Groundbreakingly New Solar-Powered Hydrogen Generation System
May 23rd, 2018 by Fiedler Group
While at the California Air Resources Board Technology Expo and Symposium at the University of California, Riverside held on May 17th, 2018, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced a groundbreakingly new solar-powered hydrogen generation system. The project is a partnership between SoCalGas, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the STARS Corporation.
SoCalGas supports efforts to grow hydrogen production, especially for use along “California’s Hydrogen Highway,” a series of hydrogen-fueling stations located throughout the state. As of now, there are 35 hydrogen fueling stations in the state, with another 29 stations in development.
“We are always looking for innovative ways natural gas can be used to develop clean energy sources,” said Yuri Freedman, senior director of business development for SoCalGas. “Hydrogen is well positioned to play a vital role in California’s clean energy future through a broad range of applications, including the expanded use of fuel cells, long-term energy storage and other purposes.”
The solar thermochemical advanced reactor system (STARS) produces hydrogen through a thermochemical process where the sun provides thermal energy to break down natural gas and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a process called steam methane reforming. Results from extensive testing show STARS can be configured to produce hydrogen and other chemicals without any carbon emissions reaching the atmosphere. These chemicals “trap” and use the carbon that would otherwise be emitted. The carbon then can be used to make chemicals that become resins and plastic materials.
“STARS Corporation is a new, spin-off corporation, created for the purpose of commercializing this nascent technology,” said Robert Wegeng, a former technology developer at PNNL and the president of STARS Corporation. “We hope to have a commercial demonstration operating in one to two years.”
This technology is going through field testing at San Diego State University’s Brawley campus. It runs on solar and renewable electricity. Demonstrations have shown the set-up is extremely efficient, with an energy-to-chemical energy conversion effectiveness above 70 percent, making it one of the world’s most productive solar processes to date. If it is being operated around the clock, using a combination of solar energy and renewable gas or electricity, the system produces about 25 kg of hydrogen per day. This is the equivalent of 25 gallons of gasoline or diesel fuel.
The STARS generation system has been in development by PNNL and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for over 10 years. SoCalGas is working with the DOE to make these systems commercially feasible.
SOURCE Southern California Gas Company
Fiedler Group has participated in the development of several of the hydrogen fueling stations located in the state of California. Our project development services have included Site Investigation Reports (SIR’s) – for initial site identification and screening, site adaption design and system integration, facility modifications to accommodate servicing hydrogen powered vehicles, station permitting, Project management, and Construction management.
To learn more about Fiedler Group’s expertise in the alternative fuels industry, and how the Fiedler Group team can assist you with your project, contact us today.
