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 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 will likely remove it from the plan. We will be asking the City what will replace this in the plan. 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

Not Started

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?
  • By December 2024: The City will commit to developing the capability to produce biochar and hydrogen through biomass gasification.

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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