RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION (RD&D)

Working to reduce the environmental impact for all of us.

SoCalGas® is actively working towards the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and delivery of energy by 2045. Innovation and the rapid development of new technologies are vital to our success. Our Research, Development, & Demonstration (RD&D) Program plays a key role in this effort by developing and demonstrating transformational products and technologies that promote decarbonization across the natural gas value chain and a diversified portfolio of clean energy sources, distributed networks, tools, and applications.

Our Recent Webinar

Explorer Robot – Seam Weld Crack Sensor

SoCalGas and NYSEARCH recently hosted webinar to learn about Intero/Pipetel Explorer Robot with Seam Weld Crack Detection technology. With Intero/Pipetel, the Explorer Robotics program resulted in a 2010 commercialization of a series of platforms and sensors to inspect unpiggable pipes under live conditions and featured corrosion detection and mechanical damage sensing capabilities. Subsequently capabilities like crack sensing, energy harvesting, and automation have been developed to further enhance effectiveness.  

This webinar focused on how the Seam Weld Crack Sensor detects cracks along the seam welds of pipe without multiple passes. The benefits and challenges in completing and commercially deploying this important program will be explained.  

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RD&D 2022 Annual Report Spotlights

  • RDD-annual-report-04California Port deploys hydrogen fuel cell trucks for zero-emission cargo handling

    GTI Energy leads demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell yard tractors for emissions reductions at the Port of Los Angeles. The project’s goal was to develop and demonstrate two zero-emission hybrid hydrogen fuel cell yard trucks at port terminals operated by TraPac at the Port of Los Angeles. Based on this project’s success, TraPac has begun exploring how to transition all of its cargo handling equipment to zero emission. This project made significant progress in reducing some of the stigma associated with hydrogen and is an important step forward in developing a thriving hydrogen market in Southern California.

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    RDD-annual-report-06_0New insights are created by breaking down industrial data silos with digitization

    Energy technology company, METRON, has created an innovative software-as-a-service (SaaS) product and set of strategies to reduce energy consumption, help lower utility bills, and shrink carbon footprints. This technology seeks to tear down data silos in industrial facilities, enabling users to understand and analyze data in real time and gain actionable insights at the machine or asset level. Upon installation of the sensors, METRON deployed its software ecosystem and professional services to drive significant energy use cost savings and emission reductions. The success of the project was a direct result of the positive collaboration among METRON, The Gill Corporation, and SoCalGas. 

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Public Workshop Notice

The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) hosted a public workshop presenting the 2022 Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) program results and review 2023 RD&D activities. It is also an opportunity to obtain input from stakeholders, including the 

  • California Energy Commission
  • GTI Energy
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • Other organizations engaged in gas research and development regarding intended RD&D spending for the 2024 calendar year

The workshop was ordered by the October 1, 2019 Decision Addressing the Test Year 2019 General Rate Cases of San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Gas Company (D.19.09-051 at pp. 378-379). 

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Meet the team

Learn more about the Research, Development, and Demonstration team at SoCalGas

Press Releases

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