SoCalGas Joins Ford to Reduce Emissions with Cutting Edge F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck

The utility is working to replace 50% of its over-the-road fleet with clean fuels by 2025 and operate 100% zero-emissions fleet by 2035

On  August 15, 2022 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it is working with Ford Motor Company on a demonstration project to reduce commercial fleet emissions by developing a F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck. This collaboration is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SuperTruck 3 program, which aims to significantly reduce emissions in medium and heavy-duty trucks. The utility’s participation is another step toward its ASPIRE 2045 sustainability goals by working to replace 50% of its over-the-road fleet with clean fuel vehicles by 2025 and operate a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035.

Ford will provide SoCalGas with a F-550 Super Duty Truck to evaluate the prototype truck’s performance under real-world conditions. SoCalGas was chosen to evaluate how the truck can meet the rigorous demands of utility work and because of its climate and geographical location. The demonstration project will also include a temporary hydrogen refueling station at SoCalGas’ Bakersfield facility. The truck is expected to deploy in 2025.

This project represents a unique opportunity to decarbonize large fleets like utilities that require long ranges, fast refueling, onboard power needs, and 24/7 emergency response.

“The companies that drive our economy and especially our transportation sector must collaborate on developing innovative technologies as we make the transition to a cleaner tomorrow,” said State Senator Josh Newman. “This groundbreaking project will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, but it also offers promise toward tackling America’s current energy challenges.”

“Ford’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions across the globe includes investigating multiple technologies that will help us achieve these goals across a broad spectrum of applications,” said Jim Buczkowski, executive director, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “For our wide spectrum of Ford Pro customers, there are application gaps that battery electric vehicles just can’t fulfill yet, so we’re looking at hydrogen fuel cells to power larger, heavier commercial vehicles while still delivering zero tailpipe emissions.”

“We are honored to work with Ford on their strategy to help reduce emissions,” said Neil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas. “This project is a critical step toward finding real-world solutions to decarbonize heavy duty transportation such as our utility fleet with Ford’s H2 Fuel Cell Electric F-550.”

SoCalGas will continue to work with partners on research, development, and demonstration projects in the areas of clean fuels, hydrogen technology, and infrastructure.

Already, SoCalGas’ fleet includes 50 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), making the company among the first utilities in the nation to start transitioning to hydrogen-powered vehicles. More recently, SoCalGas announced plans to install 1,500 electric vehicle chargers at 67 company facilities by end of 2024. Currently, a third of SoCalGas’ over-the-road fleet operates on clean fuels.

In May the company won the “Leading Private Fleet” Award at the 2022 ACT Expo, North America’s largest advanced transportation and clean fleet event. The award recognizes leadership that goes above and beyond what is required to achieve sustainability in a company’s fleet operations.

And earlier this year, SoCalGas announced a proposal to develop Angeles Link, a green hydrogen energy infrastructure system that could deliver clean, reliable energy to the Los Angeles basin to provide a path to decarbonize sectors that require clean fuels and cannot currently be electrified, including heavy-duty transportation.

SoCalGas has more than 10 active hydrogen pilot projects as part of its commitment to being the cleanest, safest, and most innovative energy company in the country.  More information about SoCalGas’ hydrogen innovation can be found at http://socalgas.com/hydrogen.

Hydrogen for SunLine Transit Agency’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses

The demonstration research project will produce hydrogen from renewable natural gas for fuel cell buses to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions

August 19, 2022 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the official groundbreaking on construction of a first-of-its-kind advanced hydrogen generation system at SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California. The project, called H2 SilverSTARS, will produce hydrogen from renewable natural gas (RNG) and help fuel SunLine’s fleet of 17 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. At scale, this demonstration project has the potential to provide clean hydrogen at any location adjacent to a natural gas pipeline, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate California’s climate and clean air goals.

The demonstration will test STARS’ technology, which was developed at the Pacific Northwest National Lab. The technology uses a combustion free process, so that it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to a conventional steam methane reforming process. Since the compact system is based on low-cost 12×1-inch, 3D-printed reactor disks and heat exchangers, it can be easily installed at fueling stations to help meet the demand while advancing climate and clean air goals. After its installation, the first STARS system will produce up to 80 kilograms of clean hydrogen a day, that’s enough to fuel three of SunLine’s zero-emission buses per day.

“We’ve been anticipating for this day to arrive and I’m excited construction has begun. Californians will need access to hydrogen and this demonstration project will provide insight during this energy transition,” said Glenn Miller City of Indio Councilmember and SunLine Chair. “Once widely adopted, this project will help meet our state’s climate goals.”

“SunLine has been pioneering hydrogen technologies for nearly three decades and partnering with SoCalGas on this project continues the momentum necessary to make hydrogen fueling accessible to the public,” said Lauren Skiver, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency. “Producing clean hydrogen is the future of fuel, and this system will play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

“For several years now, the high cost of transporting hydrogen has been the big problem with rolling out fuel cell vehicles in California,” said Robert Wegeng, President of STARS Technology Corporation. “This demonstration elegantly solves the problem with a compact, mass-produced hydrogen generator that can be placed on the gas grid in close proximity to filling stations and other places where cheap hydrogen is useful. Better yet, the hydrogen can meet the new Federal “Clean Hydrogen Standard” for regional hydrogen hubs since it can be produced from renewable natural gas.”

“This is the kind of demonstration project we love to see in California and we’re excited construction has started. SoCalGas will use the knowledge gained from this project to help accelerate the adoption of clean hydrogen,” said Neil Navin, SoCalGas vice president of clean energy innovations. “Adopting clean technologies and working with SunLine and STARS will help SoCalGas and California reach our shared air quality and climate goals much faster.”

Earlier this year, SoCalGas announced a proposal to develop Angeles Link, a dedicated green hydrogen energy infrastructure system that could deliver clean, reliable energy to the Los Angeles basin to provide a path to decarbonize hard-to electrify sectors such as electric generation, industries that require clean fuels and cannot currently be electrified, and heavy-duty transportation.

Clean fuel vehicles are expected to play an important role in meeting the state’s climate and clean air goals. In California, Governor Newsom’s executive order requires that all new cars sold in the state be zero-emissions by 2035. Californians having access to clean hydrogen generation systems, like H2 SilverSTARS, could be part of the clean energy transition.

SunLine Transit Agency has been at the forefront of providing environmentally conscious public transportation since 1993, when the Agency pursued an aggressive strategy for incorporating clean technologies into its operations.

The SunLine Transit Agency is on track to be fully transitioned to zero emissions by 2035 – five years ahead of the deadline set in the state’s ICT Regulation (2040). In addition to SunLine’s PEM Hydrogen Electrolyzer – the largest clean hydrogen-producing station in the country for transportation – its Liquid Hydrogen Station project has been funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and will expand the Agency’s hydrogen fueling capacity for the existing fueling infrastructure.

SunLine Transit Agency recently received a California Energy Commission award for the construction of a 15,000 – 18,000-gallon liquid hydrogen fueling station.  This station will create fueling resiliency for the agency and is the first liquid hydrogen project in SunLine’s thirty-year history.  This liquid station is yet another element in the creation of a zero-emission blueprint for transit and fleet operators across the nation.

For more information about SoCalGas’ hydrogen innovation, visit http://socalgas.com/hydrogen.

Photos and video of construction, SunLine buses, and a diagram of the STARS technology are available here.

SoCalGas to Award Local Cities with $150,000 in Funds toward Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Planning

Three local municipalities will receive $50,000 to help lower and reduce climate-change impact

August 22, 2022 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the application opening period for the Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Grant program, designed to assist local cities in becoming more resilient and address climate vulnerability, adaptation, resiliency and hazard mitigation plans with an emphasis on supporting underserved communities. The grant program will provide $50,000 each to three municipalities within SoCalGas’ service territory. The funds will be used to help local cities and counties prepare for and recover from climate risks, such as extreme heat, wildfires, drought, subsidence, sea level rise and flooding.

An advisory panel of planning and sustainability experts from the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC) and the American Planning Association-California Chapter (APA-California) will select the 2022 winning applications from across Southern and Central California.

“The City is very excited to get started on the very important work of developing a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan for our underserved community. Strengthening climate resilience and focusing on issues of environmental justice are critical to our community and are at the core of many of our strategic goals over the next five years,” said San Fernando Mayor Mary Mendoza. “The City of San Fernando is very honored to receive these funds and so appreciative to the Southern California Gas Company for recognizing our efforts with this generous grant.”

“The Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Grant program is one of many initiatives that SoCalGas is promoting to lower climate change impacts and help California reach its sustainability goals. We’re committed to help alleviating these impacts through our investment in different strategies to help us all recover, adapt and plan ahead,” said Jawaad Malik, vice president of strategy, suitability and chief environmental officer at SoCalGas. “Restoring the health of our communities and lowering our environmental impact is key to a sustainable future. We are proud to collaborate with different municipalities for a stronger future.”

“Climate adaptation and resilience planning is a crucial part of helping our communities stay strong in the face of unprecedented changes,” said Ashley Atkinson, president of the American Planning Association’s California Chapter. “This program allows recipient cities to prioritize resilience planning and address these changes with urgency.”

Municipalities embarking on Hazard Mitigation Plan updates, Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plans, or are incorporating climate change impacts into the Safety Element of their General Plan are eligible to apply. Grant proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES: SoCalGas encourages applicants to address climate vulnerabilities in disadvantaged communities.
• COLLABORATION: the extent to which the grant proposal reflects coordination and partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders (energy/water utilities, transportation, housing, etc.).
• CO-BENEFITS: identify potential co-benefits of the adaptation work, such as benefits to public health, air quality, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and the economy.

The application submission period ends on October 14, 2022, at 5 p.m.

Last year, the City of Maywood, the City of San Fernando, and the City of Pico Rivera were each awarded $50,000 for winning adaptation and resiliency grants from SoCalGas.

For more information about SoCalGas’ environmental initiatives, visit socalgas.com/sustainability.

SoCalGas and Landi Renzo USA Convert 200 Additional Field Service Trucks to Run on Renewable Natural Gas

Approximately 44% of the utility’s fleet will run on clean fuels

September 13, 2022 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced an additional multi-million-dollar collaboration with Landi Renzo USA for 200 new Ford F-250 service pickup trucks to join the utilities fleet. The trucks will be converted to run on renewable natural gas (RNG). The service trucks will be outfitted with the latest Landi Renzo Eco Ready™ equipment, a California Air Resource Board certified ultra-low emissions vehicle system. Last year, SoCalGas partnered with Landi Renzo USA to convert 200 service trucks to be added to the fleet. With the conversion of an additional 200 new RNG trucks this year through the continued partnership, SoCalGas’ fleet is expected to reduce an additional 2,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), resulting in approximately 44 percent of SoCalGas’ service vehicles will run on clean fuels.  This is equivalent to removing 1,800 passenger vehicles from California roads for one year.

“The City of Torrance is proud to have high-tech forward-thinking businesses such as Landi Renzo call Torrance home,” said Torrance Mayor George K. Chen. “In line with the City’s strategic plan element of Stewardship of the Environment, Torrance proudly supports the efforts of the Landi Renzo and SoCalGas partnership to reduce emissions and move towards a sustainable future for not only our city, but our region, and the world.”

“Our longstanding partnership with Landi Renzo USA is one of many initiatives that will help SoCalGas reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and help reach our net-zero goal,” said Sandra Hrna, vice president of supply chain and operations support at SoCalGas. “The new clean energy technologies provided by Landi Renzo are innovative and have always delivered great results which will help decarbonize the transportation sector.”

“We are excited about continuing this partnership with SoCalGas to deploy more eco-friendly fuel vehicles. With these vehicles operating on RNG, SoCalGas is driving toward a sustainable future. We applaud their leadership and look forward to more opportunities for decarbonization,” said Andrea Landi, president of Landi Renzo USA.

RNG is a renewable form of energy produced through the capture of methane emissions from organic waste materials from wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and other sources. Depending on its source, RNG can be carbon negative, meaning it displaces more emissions than it emits when produced and used as a fuel. Capturing the methane from these waste sources and converting it into RNG helps greenhouse gas emissions with high global warming potential from entering the atmosphere and reduces the use of fossil fuels.

Landi Renzo USA will continue to partner with Phenix Truck Body and CTEC Truck Body for the additional 200 units. The Landi Renzo Eco Ready™ CNG system is designed and engineered from the base Ford 6.2L engine in partnership between Landi Renzo USA and Ford Motor Company.  The additional 200-unit fleet conversion is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Employing a clean fleet is a key part of SoCalGas’ mission to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. SoCalGas’ clean fleet goals include a 100% zero-emission over-the-road fleet by 2035. Clean fuels like hydrogen and RNG are an important tool in SoCalGas’ efforts to reach both California’s and the company’s climate goals. In 2019, the company established benchmarks including delivering 20 percent renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030.

For more information about SoCalGas’ sustainability efforts, please visit https://www.socalgas.com/aspire2045.