On May 2, 2022, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that it is launching a comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen study and demonstration facility to examine the potential of zero-carbon hydrogen as a renewable energy source.[1] Called Hydrogen to Infinity, the study will blend hydrogen and natural gas in a standalone transmission pipeline system. The facility will allow PG&E and its partners (Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), Siemens Energy, the City of Lodi, GHD Inc., and the University of California at Riverside) to conduct a study of different levels of hydrogen blends in a natural gas pipeline that is independent from its current natural gas transmission system. The 130-acre facility in Lodi, California will also allow for a controlled and safe study of hydrogen injection, storage, and combustion of different hydrogen blends in several end-uses. NCPA’s Lodi Energy Center power plant, located near Hydrogen to Infinity, will accept a hydrogen-natural gas blend for electric generation in the Siemens Energy 5000F4 Gas Turbine.

The project will focus on several areas, including technical, operational, and safety needs; market development; energy resiliency and flexibility; commercial and government partnerships; unprecedented functional test environment for ongoing research; and training environment for new technology. The utility is considering this facility being the centerpiece for a potential Northern California Hydrogen Hub.

[1] https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/media-newsroom/news-details.page?pageID=66b8ed99-3175-48da-95d6-1a1fde0a4f18&ts=1651764930381