H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies, Inc. (H2B2) has unveiled SoHyCal – the largest operational green hydrogen production plant powered entirely by renewable energy in North America to date.
This pioneering project, from both a technical and commercial point of view, consists of the construction, financing, and operation of a 100% renewable hydrogen production plant with PEM technology, with a nameplate capacity of up to three tons per day, using renewable energy from a photovoltaic plant.
“In the quest for a greener energy transition, SoHyCal represents a cornerstone in California’s commitment to developing and promoting clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel technologies. The project is poised to significantly contribute to the surging demand for hydrogen, particularly for transportation applications, the reduction of emissions, and the decarbonization in mobility,” said Pedro Pajares, CEO of H2B2 USA.
Built in California’s Central Valley, H2B2’s facility is designed to produce up to three tons of green hydrogen per day, reducing carbon emissions and accelerating clean energy adoption. (Source: H2B2)
SoHyCal is fully operational in its first phase, harnessing the power of renewable energy and cutting-edge electrolysis technology, producing up to one ton per day of green hydrogen powered by biogas It will transition into solar energy in phase two, expected to produce a total of three tons per day of green hydrogen powered by PV by Q2 of 2024. This amount of hydrogen will fuel up to 210,000 cars per year or 30,000 city buses.
H2B2 secured a $3.96M grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) Clean Transportation Program for the SoHyCal project. This grant has been instrumental in supporting the production of up to one ton (1t) per day of 100% emission-free hydrogen to serve Hydrogen Refueling Stations in the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has also been a key partner in making the SoHyCal project a reality, playing a pivotal role in facilitating H2B2’s journey toward building the largest green hydrogen production facility in the United States. H2B2 is a proud member and supporter of The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), with SoHyCal an example of the type of projects the hub can promote.
H2B2’s SoHyCal Project was recognized by the Hydrogen Valley Platform (H2V), the global collaboration platform for all information on large-scale hydrogen flagship projects, as a project that aims to facilitate a clean energy transition by promoting the emergence of integrated hydrogen projects along the value chain as well as by raising awareness among policymakers.
The green hydrogen market is viewed as having significant potential, with forecasts indicating it could reach a value of $10T by 2030. This growth is expected to be driven by various sectors, including industrial use, mobility, power generation, and more. H2B2 is accepting government grants and public funding as a unique offering of project guarantees (PG) setting H2B2 apart, and instilling confidence in their investors and customers alike.
H2B2 operates within a regulatory framework aligned with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and complies with various federal, state, and local regulations and requirements. This regulatory framework plays a crucial role in shaping their operations and growth.