Carbon-Neutral Hydrogen

In Progress
Photo by Rafael Classen on Pexels

The City is exploring biochar and green hydrogen as part of its decarbonization strategy. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes. It is produced using a specific process to reduce contamination and safely store carbon. Green hydrogen is a controversial decarbonization strategy. It is a potential solution for decarbonizing heavy industry, long haul freight, shipping, and aviation.

OUR INTERPRETATION

Carbon Neutral Hydrogen had two sub-goals. The first goal, Waste to Hydrogen, was to produce biochar and hydrogen using food scraps and sludge from wastewater treatment. The City no longer sees a viable market for the product and has cancelled it. The second sub-goal is to pilot a hydrogen energy project to fuel TCAT electric buses. Initial planning includes a potential location, and partial funding has been secured.

Waste to Hydrogen

Canceled

The City sees biochar technology as a promising tool in mitigating climate change and improving soil quality, as well as reducing waste and producing energy as a byproduct. The City is exploring the production of biochar and hydrogen through biomass gasification using food scraps and sludge from wastewater treatment. Biomass gasification is a process that uses heat, steam, and oxygen to convert biomass to hydrogen and other products without combustion.

What criteria are we using to measure progress?
  • This program has been canceled.

Path to Green Hydrogen Pilot Program

In Progress

The City received funding from the US Department of Energy to pilot a hydrogen energy project to fuel TCAT’s electric buses. The pilot generates hydrogen energy from water via an electrolyzer and transfers it to a storage system, then to a fuel cell and, finally, to EV charging infrastructure.

What criteria are we using to measure progress?
  • By 2030: At completion, the project should reduce total carbon emissions by nearly 6,500 MT CO2e and eliminate 740,000 gallons of conventional gasoline.

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