H2 Blending
On March 1, 2024, SoCalGas along with three other California utilities, filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop a series of projects to demonstrate blending clean renewable hydrogen into the natural gas system can be a safe and effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and begin to scale up hydrogen as laid out in California’s climate plan.
Hydrogen blending has been identified by the State of California as a key component of its efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. By relying on decades of safe blending work across the globe, the development of a statewide hydrogen blending standard would accelerate the replacement of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases, and help California build a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.
Hydrogen Blending Overview
It is the process of blending hydrogen into natural gas and injecting it into the natural gas infrastructure.
Benefits of Hydrogen Blending
Hydrogen blending has the potential to expedite the transition to a net-zero energy future by:
- Leveraging the state's current infrastructure, skilled workforce, and regulatory framework to deliver cleaner fuel to customers
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions on both the electric and gas grids
- Serving as a low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation medium
- Providing system resiliency through energy diversity and redundancy
- Allowing Californians to continue using existing appliances without modifications
A 20% clean, renewable hydrogen blend in a natural gas system as large as California's could reduce carbon emissions equal to taking more than a million passenger vehicles off the streets annually.
Hydrogen Blending is Proven and Safe
Hydrogen is safely and reliably utilized around the world and has been for decades in countries like Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Hawaii Gas has also been using hydrogen in its fuel mix for a half-century.
SoCalGas will employ extensive safety measures that include leak surveys and detection technology, safety assessments of hydrogen storage and components, end-use equipment surveys, education and training.
UCI Hydrogen Blending Demonstration Project
SoCalGas is proposing a project to demonstrate how hydrogen can be safely blended into the existing natural gas infrastructure on the university's campus.
Orange Cove Hydrogen Blending Demonstration Project
SoCalGas is proposing a demonstration project that could safely blend clean renewable hydrogen into the natural gas system in the City of Orange Cove, in Fresno County.
In The News
Application Seeks to Further California's Efforts to Develop Hydrogen Blending Standard
CA has identified blending as an important tool to help meet its climate goals.
Clean Fuels
Read about the role of clean fuels and gas infrastructure in achieving California's Net-Zero climate goal.
Innovation in Technology
Our goal is to reduce our environmental impact as well as the impact of our customers by investing in technologies.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to store, move and deliver energy.
Hydrogen Blending Demonstration Application
UC Irvine Hydrogen Blending Demonstration Project
The hydrogen blending project at the University of California, Irvine could pave the way for clean renewable hydrogen in California. Visit the link below to learn more about their support and participation.