SoCalGas demonstrates renewable energy projects

The Southern California Gas Company hosted a day of renewable energy and technology demonstrations.

Researchers demonstrated three different renewable energy projects that are being conducted at the SDSU off campus in Brawley .

SoCalGas says these innovative projects are vital in helping California reduce its carbon footprint.

“Three very innovative technologies that can be integrated into the gas system to make renewable gas and renewable hydrogen, one involves solar thermal, “said Ron Kent , SoCalGas Technology Development Manager.

The Hyperlight’s concentrated solar power project uses the sun’s power to produce heat for industrial process. Most importantly, it does it at a low-cost, using water filled trays, and solar mirrors that reflect energy to a heat receiving beam.

The Hyperlight process is also helping carry out the second project SoCalGas is overseeing that involves dairy manure.

” We’re converting dairy cow manure into oil and gas, natural gas goes right into the pipeline. The dairy industry in California is under regulations to limit how the manure is disposed so you don’t create any environmental degradation, ” said Jim Oyler , Genifuel Corporation President.

The cow manure being used to create crude oil and natural gas comes from a local farm in El Centro, Bullfrog Farms.

” Crude oil can go to a refinery to make diesel fuel, gasoline, or jet fuel. The natural gas can go right into the pipeline to be used for electricity, transportation, home use, or anything you can do with natural gas, ” said Oyler .

According to SoCalGas , 40% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.

The third project being conducted is hoping to reduce that by using hydrogen to fuel zero-emission vehicles.

Researchers created a Solar Thermochemical Advanced Reactor System (STARS), that produces hydrogen from sunlight at record levels.

The next step for these renewable energy projects, is to implement them in commercial projects.