[H2] Hydrogen Home

Fluor is providing engineering, procurement and construction management services for the innovative SoCalGas [H2] Hydrogen Home energy project in Downey, California.

This first-of-a-kind in the U.S. project aims to show how carbon-free gas made from renewable electricity can be used in pure form or as a blend to fuel clean energy systems of the future.

Client's Challenge

SoCalGas aspires to achieve net zero emissions in its operations and the energy it delivers by 2045. Integrating hydrogen is complementary with renewable energy and could further advance the global energy transition underway. The [H2] Hydrogen Home project will demonstrate how clean fuels like hydrogen can help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and support a lower-carbon economy.

Fluor's Solution

When the home is built, it will be the first fully integrated demonstration project combining solar panels, a battery, an electrolyzer to convert solar energy to hydrogen, a fuel cell to supply electricity for the home and blended hydrogen and natural gas to run home appliances. A microgrid controller will manage the various power sources (solar, battery and fuel cell) to optimize power usage. Solar power will charge the battery and power the hydrogen-creating electrolyzer during the day, while the fuel cell will use the stored hydrogen to generate power in the evening.

Fluor's scope includes engineering, procurement services and construction management of the [H2] Hydrogen Home project. The services include integrating suppliers, equipment and design to develop a unique solution that meets the needs of a state-of-the-art green hydrogen home. Fluor is bringing its experience with hydrogen applications and renewable energy to help the client demonstrate its vision of the future.

Conclusion

The project was named one of Fast Company's World-Changing Ideas in North America and is scheduled to be completed in 2022. Hydrogen is already helping to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and will soon be used by other municipal utilities to generate electricity and to store energy for later use.