Critical Research Approved by California Public Utilities Commission
Critical Research for Nation’s First Application of Hydrogen Fueled Electric Generating Facility with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Approved by California Public Utilities Commission
Commission decision paves way for joint effort by Hydrogen Energy and Southern California Edison.
San Francisco, CA, February 20, 2009: Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a request from Southern California Edison to conduct joint research with Hydrogen Energy International on the critical feasibility studies required to be able to site a revolutionary, new base-load power plant expected to pump 250 megawatts of clean, low carbon electricity into California's high-demand electrical grid.
Hydrogen Energy International LLC (HEI), a joint venture of BP Alternative Energy and Rio Tinto, praised the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for its far-sighted and environmentally responsible decision.
The approval of the request by Southern California Edison (SCE), a subsidiary of Edison International, paves the way for the state's utility and its ratepayers to explore the feasibility and benefits of a new combined cycle power generating facility that utilizes petroleum coke and coal to create hydrogen as a fuel for electric generation, and also captures 90% of its carbon dioxide, sequestering it underground, becoming the state's leading facility in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Hydrogen Energy's proposal can provide electricity generators with a low carbon fuel option that can contribute enormously to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions” said Jonathan Briggs, Regional Director of Hydrogen Energy in North America. "The CPUC's decision clearly indicates that the state, its utilities and its ratepayers all have a strong interest in determining the feasibility of this low carbon power project. We are pleased the Commission has approved SCE's participation.
Last July, HEI has proposed to site, construct and operate a hydrogen fuel production facility and power plant in Kern County, California. The proposed facility plans to use Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology to manufacture hydrogen from petroleum coke (a by-product of the refining process) or blends of petroleum coke and coal, as needed. The hydrogen will be used to generate 250 megawatts of base-load low-carbon electricity -- enough to power 150,000 homes in the region. Over 2 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) is expected to be captured and stored in deep underground geological formations annually, giving the facility a minimal CO2 footprint.
Additionally, sited next to the Elk Hills oil reserve provides an optimal opportunity for carbon sequestration to be associated with enhanced oil recovery -- an environmentally responsible way to increase domestic oil production and enhance energy security.
Hydrogen Energy is proposing to site this new facility in California because of the State’s leadership role in requiring greenhouse gas emission reductions in policy initiatives supported by the Governor, Legislature, the California Air Resources Board and energy regulatory agencies. Additionally, Hydrogen Energy sees Kern County as an ideal location because of the many oil fields that can provide ideal storage conditions for CO2 thus ensuring environmental benefits, as well as providing the opportunity for enhanced oil recovery, producing additional economic benefits.
About HEI:
BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. and Rio Tinto Hydrogen Energy LLC formed Hydrogen Energy International LLC to create low-carbon hydrogen from fossil fuels. The hydrogen would initially be for use in industrial scale power generation plants and the CO2 from the fossil fuel would be captured and stored in deep geological formations.
For more information on Hydrogen Energy and the California project, please visit www.hydrogenenergy.com/california
For further information contact:
Hydrogen Energy contact: Tiffany Rau at 562-276-1510
Southern Californi Edison contact: Gil Alexander