Chevron New Energies, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., is spearheading a pioneering project to generate hydrogen in California’s Central Valley with a capacity of 5 megawatts. This innovative venture aims to harness solar energy, alongside utilizing the land and non-potable water from Chevron’s Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County, to produce hydrogen with low carbon intensity through the process of electrolysis. By splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, the project endeavors to supply lower carbon energy solutions, contributing to a greener future.
Austin Knight, Chevron New Energies’ Vice President for Hydrogen, emphasized the critical role of hydrogen in achieving a more sustainable world. Chevron, already a provider of eco-friendly fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, plans to extend its portfolio through this initiative, which is poised to generate two tons of hydrogen daily. This output is expected to support the growth of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, promoting broader adoption across California.
Knight highlighted the potential scalability of this green solution, acknowledging that its success and expansion to meet increasing hydrogen demand are contingent upon supportive energy policies at both state and federal levels. The multi-year development process will hinge on favorable legislation and regulations, thorough engineering designs, efficient permitting, and the availability of necessary materials.
Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation, praised the project’s potential to create vital technical and commercial benchmarks for Chevron New Energies as it explores options for scaling up and pursuing additional low carbon intensity hydrogen production ventures. Positioned strategically in the Central Valley, the initiative is ideally located to cater to the demands of both significant transport routes and key urban centers in California.
