SoCalGas Joins Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Electrochaea to Help Advance Gas Infrastructure Decarbonization

This innovative technology could help revolutionize biomethane production and help decarbonize gas infrastructure by displacing traditional natural gas with carbon-neutral synthetic biomethane.

LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced its collaboration with Electrochaea and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on an innovative research project that aims to develop a single-stage electro-bioreactor to transform excess renewable electricity and biogas into carbon-neutral synthetic biomethane, also known as renewable natural gas (RNG). This approach could mark a significant advancement in power to gas technology and underscores the viability of potential for synthetic biomethane to help decarbonize natural gas infrastructure and its end uses from residential heating to manufacturing industries and transportation. SoCalGas has contributed to the project's technical development and helped provide funding, which was also supported by a $1 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE).

Simon Pang (left) and Buddhinie Jayathilake assemble and prepare a prototype bubble column electrobioreactor to test additively manufactured three-dimensional electrodes. Under their project, excess renewable electricity from wind and solar sources would be stored in chemical bonds as renewable natural gas. Photo by Nathan Ellebracht.

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"This technology is not just an innovative approach to energy generation; it has the potential to be a versatile solution that aligns with California's vision for carbon neutrality by 2045," said Jawaad Malik, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at SoCalGas. "This project demonstrates our aspirations for a sustainable energy future and highlights how strategic collaborations can yield solutions designed to benefit the environment, the economy and our communities."

If developed at scale, this technology could increase the yield of RNG produced from carbon dioxide sources like anaerobic digesters, landfills, dairies, fermentation facilities or industrial processes. The hybrid bioreactor and electrolyzer system harnesses the power of Electrochaea's proprietary microbial biocatalyst, which consumes hydrogen and carbon dioxide, transforming these inputs into RNG.  

"We believe this technology will help enable decarbonization of the natural gas grid infrastructure by providing a renewable source of natural gas," said Simon Pang, a materials scientist in LLNL's Materials Science Division who heads the project. "This renewable natural gas can be moved and used in existing infrastructure, allowing the technology to be deployed soon to meet green energy demand. Moreover, by producing pipeline-quality renewable natural gas from biogas, we can increase the value of biogas and reduce the likelihood that it will be vented to the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving local air quality."

The two-year project aims to efficiently combine the processes of electrolysis and methanation in one streamlined unit. A single unit would simplify how the system works, bring efficiency, lower costs, and have a potential to adjust to changing energy demand and renewable electricity sources.

"Electrochaea's team is highly committed to contributing to a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly energy supply now and in the future. The new highly efficient single-stage bioreactor is an essential asset in this endeavor," said Dr. Doris Hafenbradl, Electrochaea's Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director. "We are excited to collaborate with SoCalGas and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who are undisputed leaders in their respective fields. The enthusiasm to continue and expand this collaborative effort is a testament to the shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on the energy landscape."

Cleaner energy innovations designed to help decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors will be a key component of California's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. To that end, SoCalGas continues to develop Angeles Link, a proposed clean renewable hydrogen pipeline system to serve Southern and Central California. Angeles Link could be the nation's largest clean renewable hydrogen pipeline system and help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty transportation, electric generation, industrial processes and other hard-to-electrify sectors of the California economy.

Learn more about how SoCalGas is working to help achieve a future through innovation, collaboration and decarbonization at https://www.socalgas.com/sustainability

About SoCalGas   

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to approximately 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. We believe gas delivered through our pipelines plays a key role in California's clean energy transition by supporting energy system reliability and resiliency and enabling integration of renewable resources.   

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replace 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. RNG can be made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while working to keep bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego.   

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on X (formerly Twitter) (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.    

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company