Chevron is investing in a waste-to-hydrogen project aimed at supplying transport markets in northern California from the first quarter of next year.

The US oil major’s Chevron New Energies unit has become a 50pc shareholder in the project in Richmond, with the balance of the shares held by Wyoming-based renewable fuels producer Raven SR (30pc) and fuel-cell vehicle manufacturer Hyzon (20pc).

Chevron and Hyzon are already strategic investors in Raven SR.

“We are excited about this collaboration and our expanded commitment to Raven and its waste-to-hydrogen technology,” says Austin Knight, vice-president of hydrogen for Chevron New Energies.

2,400t/yr – Projected output of project

“Not only are we positioned to commercialise a first-of-its-kind lower carbon hydrogen project, we are working to reduce emissions in a community in which we have a long and proud history. With a relatively short lead time, we will be able to further develop the hydrogen ecosystem in the region.”

The project is expected to divert up to 99 wet tons per day of green and food waste from landfill into its non-combustion steam/CO₂ reforming process, producing up to 2,400t/yr of renewable hydrogen.

The project is expected to produce at least 60pc of its own electricity by upgrading existing landfill gas electric generators.

Chevron plans to market its share of the hydrogen in Bay Area and Northern California fuelling stations. Hyzon plans to provide refuelling for hydrogen fuel-cell trucks at a hub in Richmond.

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Author: Stuart Penson