Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions business segment of Cummins Inc., will supply Chevron New Energies with a 5-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer system for the production of low-carbon intensity (LCI) electrolytic hydrogen in Lost Hills, Calif. – a step toward scaling hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S.
The project leverages the strategic agreement between Cummins and Chevron to stimulate the commercial and industrial adoption of hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and other alternative lower-carbon-intensity fuels in North America.
The Chevron facility will consist of two Accelera proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers to produce hydrogen on-site by utilizing solar power and non-potable produced water from Chevron’s existing assets at the Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County.
The electrolyzer system will generate over 2 tons of hydrogen per day at fuel-cell-grade purity, enough to fuel 80 freight trucks up to 600 miles.
“We’re excited to continue our collaboration with Chevron as we work toward shared goals of advancing the hydrogen ecosystem and lowering emissions,” said Andreas Lippert, Vice President and General Manager of Electrolyzers for Accelera. “This new hydrogen production project in California will continue building on Accelera’s hydrogen innovation and demonstrates the kind of partnership that enables the shift to zero emissions.”
Electrolyzers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can be stored or transported as a liquid or gas, and the oxygen can be released into the atmosphere or used for other purposes. When powered by renewable electricity, like wind or solar, the hydrogen produced is emissions-free. This green hydrogen can be used as an energy-dense, clean power source to power commercial transportation, such as cars, buses, trucks, and trains, as well as industrial processes.
Accelera electrolyzer technology powers more than 60 hydrogen refueling stations across the globe, including the first multimodal refueling station in the world in Antwerp, Belgium, capable of fueling cars, trucks, buses and ships. Accelera also powers one of the world’s largest PEM electrolyzer systems in operation in Bécancour, Quebec; a 25MW electrolyzer system for Florida Power & Light Company’s Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub in Florida, which will be fully commissioned and operational in early 2024; and will power a 90MW electrolyzer system with Varennes Carbon Recycling in Quebec to turn non-recyclable waste into biofuels and circular chemicals.