Greetings from LCRI! We made an exciting announcement last month - more than 50 organizations are now actively participating in the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative. This includes the latest sponsors to join: ConocoPhillips, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Tampa Electric.
This effort would not be successful without the diverse collaboration within LCRI. Together we are committed to advancing low-carbon technologies and fuels. The Electric Power Research Institute and Gas Technology Institute are proud to be leading this effort to support net-zero carbon emission goals in the energy industry.
A white paper was recently published by the University of Texas as part of the LCRI-supported U.S. Department of Energy H2@Scale project. The paper, Hydrogen Blending in Texas Natural Gas Power Plants at Scale, assesses the suitability and implications of hydrogen blending within the existing natural gas power plant fleet in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. Results indicate that blending even relatively small amounts of hydrogen, delivered via the existing hydrogen pipeline network, in the fuel streams of existing natural gas power plants can reduce carbon emissions. Results also indicate that hydrogen blending can be economically competitive in the short term if proposed federal clean hydrogen tax credits are implemented.
This assessment was conducted as part of the H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond project, in which a renewable hydrogen energy network is being established by LCRI co-lead GTI, Frontier Energy, and the University of Texas at Austin Center for Electromechanics. This demonstration will help pave the way for eventual build-out of integrated clean hydrogen networks, and includes multiple low-carbon hydrogen production technologies such as the conversion of renewable natural gas and electricity to hydrogen for use in a fuel cell for critical power generation applications, for passenger vehicle fueling, and for powering fuel cell aerial drones. The H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond project is also assessing the techno-economics of low-carbon hydrogen production, storage, delivery, and end-use for industrial and commercial applications in and around Port Houston.
The LCRI recently launched a new and improved Digital Portal. Additions include a new initiative-level view, a dedicated events page, initiative-level and TSC announcements, improved delivery of research results, information on upcoming deliverables, and linkage to the Tech Portal. An enhanced sponsor-only space, accessible via login, includes project overviews, quarterly project status updates, and key LCRI contacts. Access the new site at www.lowcarbonlcri.com.
LCRI Prepares to Participate in New DOE RD&D Opportunities
A suite of new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) solicitations have been issued in the past month that are aligned with key LCRI research topics such as hydrogen, industrial sector decarbonization, carbon capture, and large-scale energy storage. This includes two new Requests for Information (RFIs) to inform design and implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill’s Regional Hydrogen Hub and the Electrolysis and Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling Programs, as well as a separate RFI focused on industrial sector decarbonization priorities. EPRI and GTI leadership are preparing responses to these RFIs to support LCRI’s positioning on future funding opportunities in these critical research areas.
LCRI teams are also preparing to respond to a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) focused on carbon capture R&D and design studies for industrial facilities, as well as evaluating opportunities to partner on projects supported by a separate DOE FOA on concentrating solar thermal power RD&D to gain insights on the technology’s competitiveness with alternative energy carrier industrial heat supply and energy storage applications.
If your organization is planning to respond to any of these opportunities, please contact us at LCRI@epri.com to discuss potential coordination.
LCRI Executive Council members and Technical Advisory Group members gathered virtually and in Scottsdale, AZ, for a hybrid meeting on February 16 to discuss research priorities for 2022 and beyond.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Plans Unveiled for Southern California Green Hydrogen Infrastructure System
LCRI sponsor SoCalGas has begun the planning and development process for the Angeles Link, a large-scale dedicated hydrogen pipeline system spanning up to 750 miles that would serve industrial consumers, such as dispatchable power generators, heavy-duty trucking fleets, and heavy industry. The proposed network would utilize hydrogen from 10 to 20 GW of electrolyzers powered by wind, solar, or battery sources, and additional low-carbon hydrogen supply opportunities are also being explored.
New Record for World's Largest Operational Green Hydrogen
Production Project
Baofeng Energy's 150 MW alkaline electrolyzer project has been brought online and fully commissioned in central China, powered by a 200 MW solar installation. The project also held the previous record for largest operational electrolyzer since last April, when the first 30 MW of electrolysis capacity was commissioned and turned on at the site.
ENGIE and Infinium Announce Partnership on Large-Scale
Synthetic Fuel Plant
Electrofuels company Infinium has partnered with ENGIE to develop “Reuze”, a commercial-scale low-carbon fuels plant planned for Northern France. CO2 captured from local steel production facilities will be combined with hydrogen produced by a 400 MW electrolyzer to produce drop-in, synthetic fuels for use in aviation and maritime transport. A final investment decision for the project is expected in 2023, and commercial operation is scheduled for 2026.
Development of Hydrogen Combustion Engines for Aviation Accelerates
Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney will develop a hydrogen-fueled engine for aviation as part of a DOE Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) sponsored project. The novel engine technology will burn liquid hydrogen and will incorporate water vapor recovery and steam injection. Separately, Airbus recently announced a partnership with CFM International, a joint venture between LCRI sponsor GE and Safran, to develop a hydrogen combustion engine for its ZEROe demonstration program.
Hydrogen Electrolysis Techno-Economic Assessment Tool. Available on the LCRI Tools website here.
“Assessment of Low-Carbon Fuel Pathways for Aviation” - Full report (3002021283) and executive summary (3002023246).
“Low-Carbon Fuel Pathways for Combustion-Based Boiler and Heat Recovery Steam Generator Applications” – Full report (3002020531) and executive summary (3002023231).
U.S. Regional Economy, Greenhouse Gas, and Energy (US-REGEN) model documentation. Website available here.
LCRI EVENTS
LCRI Delivery and Storage Technical Subcommittee (TSC) Meeting
March 1, 2022; Invitation Only: Delivery and Storage TSC Advisors
Electric Power Research Institute, 3420 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
www.epri.com | 650-855-2121
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