SoCalGas begins construction to produce clean hydrogen for public buses
SoCalGas announced Monday it had begun construction on a first-of-its-kind advanced hydrogen generation system that would provide an alternative fuel source for SunLine Transit Agency’s 17 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.
The H2 SilverSTARS project would produce hydrogen from renewable natural gas (RNG). At scale, the project could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate California’s climate and clean air goals, the company said.
“We’ve been anticipating for this day to arrive, and I’m excited construction has begun. Californians will need access to hydrogen, and this demonstration project will provide insight during this energy transition,” said Glenn Miller, City of Indio Councilmember and SunLine Chair. “Once widely adopted, this project will help meet our state’s climate goals.”
The demonstration will test STARS’ technology, developed at the Pacific Northwest National Lab. STARS’ technology uses a combustion-free process to convert natural gas to hydrogen, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional steam methane reforming methods. The system is based on low-cost 12×1-inch, 3D-printed reactor disks and heat exchangers, which lend themselves to easy installation. If the demonstration proves successful, the conversion system can be installed at fueling stations to meet demand.
“For several years now, the high cost of transporting hydrogen has been the big problem with rolling out fuel cell vehicles in California,” said Robert Wegeng, President of STARS Technology Corporation. “This demonstration elegantly solves the problem with a compact, mass-produced hydrogen generator that can be placed on the gas grid in close proximity to filling stations and other places where cheap hydrogen is useful. Better yet, the hydrogen can meet the new Federal “Clean Hydrogen Standard” for regional hydrogen hubs since it can be produced from renewable natural gas.”
Once installed, the first STARS system will produce up to 80 kilograms of clean hydrogen a day, enough to fuel three SunLine buses daily.
