SoCalGas and EVOLOH Research Project Helps Make Hydrogen and Electrolyzer Production More Affordable

Rhea-AI Summary

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and EVOLOH, an AEM electrolyzer technology developer, have concluded a joint research project aimed at reducing the capital costs of electrolyzer technology by about 25%. The project achieved a 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency for EVOLOH's Nautilus™ series electrolyzer stack, also extending its equipment lifetime. This enhancement utilizes readily available materials and a roll-to-roll manufacturing process, enabling a shorter supply chain and lower production costs. The technology will be scaled up at EVOLOH's new manufacturing Center of Excellence in Massachusetts with a target of 3.75GW annual production by 2025 and 15GW by 2027. SoCalGas' RD&D Program funded the project and provided technical assistance.

Positive

• Electrolyzer technology capital costs reduced by approximately 25%.
• 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency for EVOLOH's Nautilus™ series electrolyzer stack.
• Utilization of readily available materials and roll-to-roll manufacturing process for cost reduction.
• Equipment lifecycle extension of electrolyzer stacks compared to traditional techniques.
• Scalable technology to be produced at EVOLOH's new manufacturing Center of Excellence with a production target of 3.75GW annually by 2025 and 15GW by 2027.

Negative

• Electrolyzer manufacturing and hydrogen production remain expensive and difficult.

Insights

Tech Expert

The collaboration between SoCalGas and EVOLOH signifies a technological leap in hydrogen production. The introduction of EVOLOH's anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology is a noteworthy advancement. AEM electrolyzers are developed using widely available materials and employ a roll-to-roll manufacturing process. This method not only ensures a reliable and short supply chain but also lowers production costs, leading to a 25% reduction in capital costs. Furthermore, the 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency augments the lifespan of the electrolyzer stacks, making them more viable for long-term industrial applications. This efficiency gain is important because it addresses one of the major bottlenecks in hydrogen production: cost-effectiveness. Investors should consider the technological robustness and scalability of EVOLOH's approach, which promises a significant contribution to the hydrogen economy.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, the advancements in electrolyzer technology by SoCalGas and EVOLOH are poised to have substantial implications for the clean energy sector. The projected capacity to scale up to 3.75GW per year by 2025 and up to 15GW by 2027 represents a massive potential in meeting the surging demand for hydrogen. Importantly, the reduction in capital costs and the increased efficiency make hydrogen more competitive with conventional energy sources. This is essential in attracting investments and facilitating the adoption of hydrogen in industries such as heavy transport, steelmaking and fertilizer production. Moreover, the strategic establishment of a new manufacturing Center of Excellence in Massachusetts and the planned MW-scale testing will likely enhance EVOLOH’s market positioning, drawing attention from stakeholders and potentially driving stock performance positively.

Energy Policy Analyst

The successful execution of this joint research project aligns well with broader policy objectives aimed at decarbonizing energy systems. The electrolyzer enhancements support the goals of reducing carbon emissions by making clean renewable hydrogen more accessible and affordable. This is particularly relevant given the increasing regulatory pressures to transition to greener energy sources. The involvement of SoCalGas' Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Program also highlights the role of public and private partnerships in advancing such technologies. By fostering innovation and helping to streamline production costs, these collaborations can accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies, thus contributing to national and global climate targets. Investors should take note of the policy support and regulatory environment that could further facilitate the uptake of such technologies, potentially offering long-term growth prospects for the companies involved.

LOS ANGELES and SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and EVOLOH Inc., an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology developer, have completed a joint research project that resulted in enhancements to the current electrolyzer manufacturing process and technology. Overall, the enhancements achieved in the project could reduce the capital costs of the electrolyzer technology by approximately 25% and could help make the cost of clean renewable hydrogen more affordable.

EVOLOH's AEM is made with readily available materials and utilizes a roll-to-roll manufacturing process. This enables a shorter and more reliable supply chain as well as a lower-cost, rapid production process for electrolyzer stack development. The project was able to achieve a 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency to EVOLOH's Nautilus™ series electrolyzer stack, the core component of an electrolyzer that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The increased efficiency also helps extend the equipment lifetime of the stacks compared to traditional techniques.

"Meeting the growing demand for clean renewable hydrogen production will require an extraordinary expansion of the current electrolyzer market," said Jawaad Malik, chief strategy and sustainability officer at SoCalGas. "Innovative projects like this can help significantly reduce electrolyzer system costs and production time and enable clean renewable hydrogen production to become more cost competitive with traditional energy sources."

SoCalGas' Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Program helped fund the project and provided technical assistance with EVOLOH's development of high-speed coating methods for AEM electrolyzers. The electrolyzer stacks are designed to be compact, modular and are capable of being scaled up to 24 megawatts each, which makes them well-suited for large-scale industrial applications.

"Currently, electrolyzer manufacturing and hydrogen production is expensive. Electrolyzers can be difficult to make, transport and install, and certain current technologies require problematic supply chains," said Dr. Jimmy Rojas, EVOLOH's chief executive officer. "When our technology is produced using renewable energy, hydrogen becomes a versatile, flexible and carbon-free energy platform that opens up new pathways for tackling some of the thorniest climate problems—like heavy transport, steelmaking, fertilizer production and long duration storage." 

The technology will soon be scaled up at EVOLOH's new manufacturing Center of Excellence in Lowell, Massachusetts with a goal of producing 3.75GW per year by 2025 in electrolyzer stacks and up to 15GW in 2027. EVOLOH will also begin MW-scale testing at its new headquarters in Santa Clara, California later this year.

SoCalGas' RD&D Program plays a key role in developing and demonstrating innovative products and technologies that can promote decarbonization across the natural gas value chain and a diversified portfolio of cleaner energy sources. Learn more about how SoCalGas is working to help shape California's 21^st century energy system at socalgas.com/rdd.

About SoCalGas

SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States serving approximately 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest, most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. SoCalGas aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service through its pipelines to help advance California's clean energy transition by supporting energy system reliability and resiliency and enabling the integration of renewable resources. SoCalGas is a recognized leader in its industry and community, as demonstrated by being named one of Reuters' Top 100 Innovators Leading the Global Energy Transition and Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), a leading North American energy infrastructure company. For more information, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on social media @SoCalGas. 

About EVOLOH

Founded in 2020, EVOLOH Inc., is revolutionizing the manufacturing of water electrolyzers to make low-cost clean hydrogen production possible at gigawatt scale anywhere in the world. Nautilus™ stacks, the company's patented electrolyzers, leverage advanced liquid alkaline technology to minimize costs and technical risks, while also maximizing manufacturing productivity, durability and efficiency. EVOLOH is backed by Engine Ventures, NextEra Energy Resources, 3M Ventures, and supported by Breakthrough Energy Fellows and others. For more information, visit https://evoloh.com/

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

In this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "contemplate," "plan," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "envision," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "can," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "in process," "construct," "develop," "opportunity," "preliminary," "initiative," "target," "outlook," "optimistic," "poised," "positioned," "maintain," "continue," "progress," "advance," "goal," "aim," "commit," or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategy, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, intentions or expectations. 

Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include: decisions, investigations, inquiries, regulations, denials or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions, including the failure to honor contracts and commitments, by the (i) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory bodies and (ii) U.S. and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein where we do business; the success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks related to (i) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (ii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, (iii) obtaining third-party consents and approvals and (iv) third parties honoring their contracts and commitments; macroeconomic trends or other factors that could change our capital expenditure plans and their potential impact on rate base or other growth; litigation, arbitrations and other proceedings, and changes to laws and regulations, including those related to tax and trade policy; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure; the availability, uses, sufficiency, and cost of capital resources and our ability to borrow money on favorable terms and meet our obligations, including due to (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook, (ii) instability in the capital markets, or (iii) rising interest rates and inflation; the impact on affordability of our customer rates and our cost of capital and on our ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices and (ii) the cost of meeting the demand for lower carbon and reliable energy in California; the impact of climate and sustainability policies, laws, rules, regulations, trends and required disclosures, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and uncertainty related to emerging technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events, such as work stoppages, that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the pipeline system or limitations on the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control. 

These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra's website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. 

Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company or Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.

FAQ

What did SoCalGas and EVOLOH achieve in their joint research project?

SoCalGas and EVOLOH completed a joint research project that reduced electrolyzer technology capital costs by 25% and increased hydrogen production efficiency by 15%.

What improvements were made to EVOLOH's Nautilus™ series electrolyzer stack?

The Nautilus™ series electrolyzer stack saw a 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency and an extended equipment lifetime.

What is the goal of EVOLOH's new manufacturing Center of Excellence?

EVOLOH aims to produce 3.75GW of electrolyzer stacks annually by 2025 and 15GW by 2027 at its new manufacturing Center of Excellence.

How does the new electrolyzer technology help in terms of cost?

The new technology reduces the capital costs of electrolyzer production by approximately 25%.

What is the significance of the roll-to-roll manufacturing process used by EVOLOH?

The roll-to-roll manufacturing process enables a shorter supply chain and lowers production costs for electrolyzer stacks.