Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that it is
blending hydrogen to fuel a household system and appliances at its Engineering Analysis Center and
Centralized Training Facility. As part of the testing, technicians are measuring the performance of
common household appliances like stoves, wall heaters and forced-air furnaces when they are fueled
with a blend of hydrogen and natural gas. This is the next step moving out of the lab and toward future
blending into the natural gas grid, with an emphasis on safety and training. SoCalGas is among the first
utilities in the nation to test the effects of a hydrogen blend on natural gas infrastructure and equipment
in a controlled field environment. This effort utilizes the same engineering and technology that will be
used to blend into the natural gas grid in the future. The use of hydrogen, either blended with natural
gas, or delivered via a dedicated pipeline, is one important component of SoCalGas’ strategy to achieve
net zero emissions in its operations and the energy it delivers by 2045.
Preliminary results of testing that began earlier this summer show the household natural gas appliances
are compatible with up to a 20% hydrogen blend. These initial findings are consistent with previous
international research and lab testing. This effort provides key operational and safety experience,
including testing for pipeline leaks, that will enable SoCalGas to implement larger scale hydrogen
blending demonstrations. SoCalGas continues to test the impacts of blending hydrogen with natural gas
on pipelines and appliances.
Furthermore, separate National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) analysis and several international
industry studies have indicated the potential to blend hydrogen into existing distribution pipelines
serving end use customers.
“In a net zero emissions California, clean fuels like hydrogen will play an essential role in supporting a
reliable electric grid, in eliminating emissions from hard to electrify sectors of the economy like
transportation and industry, and in making the transition to a clean energy economy affordable,” said
Neil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations for SoCalGas. “The European Hydrogen
Backbone Initiative is a great example on how cooperation can accelerate these goals. There, some 23
nations are working to repurpose 70 percent of their existing natural gas infrastructure to carry clean
hydrogen to a cluster of demand centers across the European Union.”
“Investing in tests that aim to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen is key to identifying solutions that
can help us address our current climate crisis,” said Assemblymember Bill Quirk. “SoCalGas’
commitment to decarbonization innovations help advance the energy transition.”
Several analyses, including the Los Angeles Renewable Energy Study (LA100) by the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and NREL, highlight the need, in 2045, for renewably
produced and storable fuels to maintain reliability in the power sector. In addition, many experts agree
that clean fuels like hydrogen will be essential for decarbonizing hard to electrify sectors of the economy
like industry and heavy-duty trucking.
SoCalGas is actively engaged in more than 10 pilot projects related to hydrogen, including a partnership
with Netherlands-based HyET Hydrogen on technology that could transform hydrogen distribution and
enable the rapid expansion of hydrogen fueling stations for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The
technology would allow hydrogen to be easily and affordably transported via the natural gas pipeline
system, then extracted and compressed at fueling stations that provide hydrogen FCEVs.
In addition, later this year, SoCalGas will break ground on its award-winning H2 Hydrogen Home. The
first project of its kind in the U.S., the H2 Hydrogen Home aims to show how carbon-free gas made from
renewable electricity can be used in pure form or as a blend to fuel clean energy systems of the future.
When the home is built in the city of Downey, it will be the first fully integrated demonstration project
with solar panels, a battery, and electrolyzer to convert solar energy to hydrogen and a fuel cell to
supply electricity for the home.
In June 2021, SoCalGas and its H2 Hydrogen Home were named one of Fast Company’s World-Changing
Ideas in the North America category. The award honors products, concepts, companies, policies, and
designs that are pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.
Earlier this year, in support of California’s climate goals, SoCalGas became the largest gas distribution
utility in North America to set a net zero emissions target that includes scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG
emissions. SoCalGas’ Aspire 2045 strategy aligns with the recommendations of the Paris Climate
Agreement and reflects the company’s focus on supporting California with a resilient gas grid through
the energy transition to support a carbon neutral economy.
About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States.
SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million consumers
across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company’s
pipelines will continue to play a key role in California’s clean energy transition—providing electric grid
reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.
SoCalGas’ mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America. In
support of that mission, SoCalGas is committed to the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional
natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas
is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also
committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers.
SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego.
For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas
on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions with respect to the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
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