#United States #Los Angeles #SoCalGas #CPUC #Hydrogen Blending

SoCalGas Advocates for Updated Hydrogen Blending Standards

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), in collaboration with San Diego Gas & Electric and Southwest Gas Corporation, has formally approached the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking to amend a decision made in 2022 regarding the blending of hydrogen into the natural gas supply. The proposed change suggests that utilities should not need to conduct a demonstration project in which up to 5% hydrogen is blended with natural gas before establishing a comprehensive standard for hydrogen blending in medium-pressure distribution systems.

The argument made by SoCalGas emphasizes that the safety aspects related to blending low levels of hydrogen have progressed significantly since the original order. As a result, the company believes that the demonstration requirement can be bypassed, allowing for a more expedited and economically viable approach to establishing hydrogen integration standards.

Despite this petition, the CPUC's directive for utilities to explore hydrogen blends between the 5% to 20% range remains intact. This range is considered critical for California's long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions within the energy sector. Since the 2022 order, a plethora of research and operational data have surfaced, demonstrating the feasibility of incorporating hydrogen blends without necessitating alterations to existing customer appliances.

Amy Kitson, SoCalGas Vice President of Gas Engineering and System Integrity, remarked, "Building off what we've learned collectively over the past few years, the CPUC has an opportunity to save ratepayers both money and time as we work to help California scale hydrogen production and decrease carbon emissions." This statement highlights the significant strides already made in hydrogen blending technology, which is currently being utilized in various regions, including California and overseas.

Senator Bob Archuleta has echoed these sentiments, indicating that incorporating up to 5% hydrogen could represent an essential first step toward the decarbonization of California’s natural gas system. He views this approach as a smart utilization of existing infrastructure, which can facilitate emissions reduction in the present while paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.

In support of this initiative, experts like Jack Brouwer, a professor from the University of California, Irvine, advocate for moving forward with hydrogen blending efforts. Brouwer states, "All objective analyses of the energy transition show that the use of both the gas and electric systems are required to achieve sustainability, reliability, and lowest cost goals. Starting the evaluation of clean hydrogen blending is vital for achieving those goals."

Hydrogen blending involves mixing hydrogen with natural gas, melding these energy sources as part of California’s strategy to decarbonize its energy grid. Following the CPUC’s previous mandates, investor-owned utilities in the state have put forth several demonstration projects focused on hydrogen blending. Notably, SoCalGas has already proposed two of these initiatives, one emphasizing a blend of 5% hydrogen that would be redundant if the latest modifications are approved by the CPUC.

Extensive advancements have backed the push for blending hydrogen with natural gas; evidence from various U.S. demonstrations and analogous international projects supports its safety and efficacy. For instance, regions like Utah have successfully conducted blending projects affirming that hydrogen can be infused at minimal levels without compromising system integrity or customer appliance functionality. Additionally, Hawai'i Gas’s long-term use of hydrogen in its fuel mix demonstrates real-world success with higher blending percentages, reinforcing the confidence in this strategy.

Research indicates that blends of up to 20% hydrogen are viable for everyday household and business appliances, promising reductions in carbon emissions and even potential decreases in harmful emissions such as nitrous oxide (NOx). As a pioneer in this domain, SoCalGas has engaged in hydrogen blending efforts, starting with its groundbreaking power-to-gas project in 2016, marking the first such initiative in the U.S. Since then, the company has progressed through a series of demonstrations, including the innovative clean renewable hydrogen-powered microgrid and home, which operates with hydrogen blends up to 20%.

For those interested in understanding more about SoCalGas' hydrogen initiatives, detailed information is provided on their website.

About SoCalGas

SoCalGas stands as the largest gas distribution utility across the United States, delivering services to over 21 million consumers throughout a vast area of approximately 24,000 square miles in Central and Southern California. It remains committed to ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable energy delivery for its customers while preparing for future energy demands. The utility has received notable recognition for its contributions to the community and continues to set standards in the energy sector. For further insights and updates, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect on social media.