Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions - January 25, 2024
University of California Riverside Develops Tech to Lower Emissions
The University of California Riverside (UCR) entered into a partnership to help develop and advance technologies that can significantly lower GHG and other emissions in natural gas generators.
A $2.1 million grant was funded through the Hydrogen Blending and Lower Oxides of Nitrogen Emissions in Gas-Fired Generation (HyBLOX) program administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to help ensure electric reliability and affordability. The grant was awarded to Enchanted Rock, a provider of electrical resiliency microgrids.
As part of the grant, UCR's College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) will take a major role in the emissions and combustion performance measurement scope.
"Hydrogen is one of the 'low-hanging fruit' solutions to decarbonize our transportation system and other sectors where emissions are hard to abate, and it can serve as a zero-carbon green fuel for internal combustion off-road and highway engines," said UCR's Professor Karavalakis. "Enchanted Rock is a strong and reliable partner who values research and the collaboration with academic institutions; our common goal is to enable innovative technologies for green and sustainable power and provide clean air to all Californians."
The use of hydrogen and natural gas blend for fueling generators shows promise for reducing emissions and improving efficiency.
Enchanted Rock will use the funds from the grant to advance its reciprocating engine technology, identifying the optimal blend of natural gas and hydrogen to operate the generator while maximizing performance and minimizing emissions. This will allow the carbon reduction benefits of hydrogen to be more rapidly realized by using existing gas delivery infrastructure and will include significant CO, CO2, and unburned CH4 emissions reductions.
"The CEC is dedicated to funding innovative projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide sustainable power," CEC Chair David Hochschild said in a statement. "We're excited to work with Enchanted Rock in developing these technologies to ensure every Californian can afford and has access to safe and reliable power."
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