Greentech Lead America: Southern California Gas Company
(SoCalGas) has partnered with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San
Diego to design an innovative system in which algae consume carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions from natural gas combustion and cost-effectively convert it
into valuable byproducts such as biomethane, biodiesel and animal feed.
For several years, researchers at Scripps have been
studying how algae can most efficiently be developed into a clean, renewable
biofuel to replace non-renewable fossil fuels. Taking this research a step
further, Scripps’ researchers hope to leverage algae’s natural ability to
absorb CO2 in the environment and convert it into oil rich
biomass or biomethane or refined into fossil fuel replacements.
“We are strongly committed to supporting the
development of zero and near-zero- emission natural gas technologies.
Recovering CO2 from combustion and turning it into commodities such as
biomethane, biodiesel or a high-quality animal feedstock is great for the
environment while creating valuable products,” said Hal D. Snyder, vice
president of customer solutions for SoCalGas.
Scripps and SoCalGas collaborate in investigative
research and systems engineering study to explore how algae production systems
could most effectively capture industrial CO2 emissions. The study explores CO2
sources including natural gas power plants, large engines used in natural gas
compression and water pumping and boilers used to produce steam for industrial
processes such as enhanced oil recovery.
“If the Phase I analysis proves such systems can be
safe and economical, we then hope to enter into a Phase II agreement to help
SoCalGas build and operate a module of a commercially scaled system, and test
its capabilities at a site to be selected within Southern California,”
said Dominick Mendola, a senior development engineer in the laboratory.
SoCalGas deploys new solar thermal technology to co-produce
renewable electricity and cooling
SoCalGas recently launched a multi-year demonstration of
an advanced concentrated solar cogeneration system to benefit businesses and
the region. The new technology uses solar energy to power air-conditioning
systems while co-producing renewable electricity.