Hydrogen to Infinity

We believe hydrogen will play a critical role in California’s decarbonized future. In addition to decarbonizing the gas system, using zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen can help reduce the carbon footprint in hard-to-electrify areas.

Hydrogen is relevant to PG&E as a fuel, as a feedstock for renewable natural gas (RNG), or as a carbon-free energy carrier when blended with natural gas. We will leverage our integrated natural gas and electric businesses to explore applications for hydrogen such as fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), fuel for electric microgrids, and combustion in existing power plants and appliances. Hydrogen is one of the ways PG&E is aiming for a net-zero carbon energy system in 2040—five years ahead of California’s carbon-neutrality goal.

The Hydrogen to Infinity project

PG&E and our collaborators have launched the nation’s most comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen gas transmission facility, called Hydrogen to Infinity or H2∞. It will blend hydrogen and natural gas in an isolated transmission pipeline and storage system. The 130-acre facility will be built in Lodi, California and serve as an operational proving ground for hydrogen production pathways, pipeline transportation, storage, and ultimately, combustion at the Lodi Energy Center power plant. The facility will include a laboratory, a workforce training center and public information spaces.

H2∞ will use clean hydrogen powered with on-site renewable energy, supplemented by the local electric grid that includes significant renewable power. The water source for the hydrogen production is the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Treatment facility. It can provide reclaimed water with zero impact to the local water supply.

Green hydrogen has several potential applications, including fuel for the transportation market, especially in heavy-duty vehicles, marine and rail. Hydrogen is also well suited for use as seasonal energy storage, and hydrogen-natural gas blends are being considered for direct use in existing gas appliances.

The H2∞ project will also demonstrate gas separation technologies. When hydrogen is injected into the natural gas system, once downstream, it could be separated from the natural gas to provide high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cell electric vehicles or for carbon emission free fuel cell electricity production. In fact, the only by-product from fuel cells is pure water!

PG&E supports the demonstrations by the other California pipeline operators that focus on distribution pressure projects and end uses. Together with our project, all aspects of hydrogen blending into existing natural gas infrastructure are covered to prepare for a state-wide hydrogen injection standard.

Hydrogen to Infinity overview

PG&E and our collaborators have launched the nation’s most comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen gas transmission facility, called Hydrogen to Infinity or H2∞. It will blend hydrogen and natural gas in an isolated transmission pipeline and storage system. The 130-acre facility will be built in Lodi, California and serve as an operational proving ground for hydrogen production pathways, pipeline transportation, storage, and ultimately, combustion at the Lodi Energy Center power plant. The facility will include a laboratory, a workforce training center and public information spaces.

H2∞ will use clean hydrogen powered with on-site renewable energy, supplemented by the local electric grid that includes significant renewable power. The water source for the hydrogen production is the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Treatment facility. It can provide reclaimed water with zero impact to the local water supply.

Green hydrogen has several potential applications, including fuel for the transportation market, especially in heavy-duty vehicles, marine and rail. Hydrogen is also well suited for use as seasonal energy storage, and hydrogen-natural gas blends are being considered for direct use in existing gas appliances.

The H2∞ project will also demonstrate gas separation technologies. When hydrogen is injected into the natural gas system, once downstream, it could be separated from the natural gas to provide high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cell electric vehicles or for carbon emission free fuel cell electricity production. In fact, the only by-product from fuel cells is pure water!

PG&E supports the demonstrations by the other California pipeline operators that focus on distribution pressure projects and end uses. Together with our project, all aspects of hydrogen blending into existing natural gas infrastructure are covered to prepare for a state-wide hydrogen injection standard.

Hydrogen to Infinity overview

California Hydrogen Hub

PG&E is participating with other stakeholders to develop a California Hydrogen Hub through the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) that may be awarded funding by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE has made $8 billion available to fund six to ten regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across the country. These hubs will enable hydrogen as a key component of America’s future clean energy economy. Concept papers were due November 7, 2022, and full applications are due by April 7, 2023.

Research and development

PG&E has been actively involved in R&D around hydrogen production, hydrogen blending in the natural gas system and hydrogen utilization since 2018. A hydrogen roadmap was developed and guides key R&D activities to move the company towards achieving a carbon neutral and renewable gas system.

• Production
  Priorities for hydrogen production R&D work includes steam methane reforming with carbon capture, methane pyrolysis and using biomass as a starting feedstock.
• Blending
  Priorities for hydrogen blending in the natural gas system include understanding the impacts to integrity management, network capacity, underground storage, end use equipment, and leak mitigation and management.
• Utilization
  Priorities for hydrogen utilization include modifying existing natural gas customer equipment to run on a blend of natural gas and hydrogen and developing zero NOx emission hydrogen combustion processes.

Please refer to the R&D roadmap (PDF) for more information.

• PG&E Climate Strategy Report (PDF)
• R&D Road Map (PDF)