Nov 06, 2009 -- Energy Department Documents and Publications/ContentWorks


The U.S. Department of Energy has signed an agreement with Hydrogen Energy California LLC (HECA) to build and demonstrate a hydrogen-powered electric generating facility, complete with carbon capture and storage, in Kern County, Calif. The new plant is a step toward commercialization of a clean technology that enables use of our country's vast fossil energy resources while addressing the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

HECA, which is owned by Hydrogen Energy International, BP Alternative Energy, and Rio Tinto, plans to construct an advanced integrated gasification combined cycle plant that will produce power by converting fuel--a blend of 75 percent coal and 25 percent petroleum coke--into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen will be used to fuel a combustion turbine, enabling net generation of 250 megawatts of electricity, enough power for more than 150,000 homes.

News on this announcement is posted on the Department of Energy's fossil energy web site at:

www.fossil.energy.gov

Contact: Mike Jacobs, DOE Headquarters, (202) 586-0507; Michael.Jacobs@hq.doe.gov

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