H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies, which focuses on green hydrogen energy solutions, has unveiled SoHyCal – the largest operational green hydrogen production plant powered entirely by renewable energy in North America to date. This pioneering project is set to revolutionize the renewable energy market, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
Built in California’s Central Valley, H2B2’s facility is designed to produce up to three tons of green hydrogen per day. This will help in reducing carbon emissions and promote the adoption of clean energy.
From both a technical and commercial point of view, the project consists of the construction, financing, and operation of a 100% renewable hydrogen production plant with PEM technology. The plant is powered entirely by renewable energy, making it a testament to California’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions.
With a nominal capacity of up to three tons per day, SoHyCal aims to meet the growing demand for hydrogen, especially in the transport sector, where it can help reduce emissions and decarbonize mobility.
SoHyCal is now operational in its initial phase, harnessing the power of renewable energy and cutting-edge electrolysis technology to produce around one ton of green hydrogen per day. The project will initially be powered by a biogas engine that burns biogas from an organic waste source near the production facility.
The second phase is expected to produce a total of three tons per day of green hydrogen using renewable energy from a photovoltaic solar plant by the second quarter of 2024. This amount of hydrogen will be enough to fuel up to 210,000 cars or 30,000 city buses annually.
“In the quest for a greener energy transition, SoHyCal represents a cornerstone in California’s commitment to developing and promoting clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel technologies. The project is poised to significantly contribute to the surging demand for hydrogen, particularly for transportation applications, the reduction of emissions, and the decarbonization in mobility,” said Pedro Pajares, CEO of H2B2 USA, in the press release.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to revolutionize the transport sector by providing an alternative that offers zero emissions while maintaining the range and refueling time comparable to conventional vehicles. Hydrogen-enabled energy generation can also provide benefits for industrial applications, such as cost-effective on-site production, high purity, and compliance with strict environmental regulations.
Moreover, hydrogen-enabled energy generation can act as a versatile solution that meets grid ancillary services needs with fast discharge and response times. It can also effectively manage surplus renewable energy, helping such installations to future-proof energy requirements for seasonal and large storage capacities, according to H2B2.
H2B2 received a $3.96M grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) Clean Transportation Program for the implementation of the SoHyCal project. This grant has played a crucial role in supporting the production of up to one ton (1t) per day of 100% emission-free hydrogen to serve Hydrogen Refueling Stations in the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has also been a key partner in making the SoHyCal project a reality, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable energy initiatives.
