Emerson Technologies Help SoCalGas Deliver Clean Energy for [H2] Innovation Experience

November 2, 2022

 

Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), a regulated subsidiary of Sempra, has selected Emerson’s digital technologies, software and services to demonstrate the resiliency and reliability of its new [H2] Innovation Experience in Southern California. One of the first microgrid projects of its kind in the United States, the [H2] Innovation Experience is a technology demonstration that 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. 

The project features a nearly 2,000-square-foot home outfitted with solar panels, a power storage battery system, an electrolyzer to convert solar energy to renewable hydrogen, and a fuel cell to supply electricity. The hydrogen, produced at the site, will also be blended with utility-provided natural gas and used in the home’s heat pump HVAC unit, water heater, clothes dryer and stove.

“Residential neighborhood-scale facilities, like the [H2] Innovation Experience, that are capable of generating, storing and transmitting electricity with zero carbon emissions will be a critical component for meeting sustainable power demand,” said Neil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas. “Emerson’s technologies and expertise facilitated a shorter start up while ensuring the safety and reliability of this demonstration project.”

According to SoCalGas research, with clean fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen, coupled with carbon management, California can reach 100% net zero goals more affordably, more equitably and with less risk of power disruptions, customer conversion barriers, and technological limitations.

“Balancing energy consumption with available sources requires sophisticated control and precise measurement,” said Mark Bulanda, executive president of Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. “We have worked on a variety of hydrogen projects globally, applying our expertise and technologies to automate hydrogen production and consumption, making the promise of renewable energy a reality.”

In addition to deep domain expertise in hydrogen, Emerson provides its DeltaV™ advanced process control system, safety instrumented systems, electronic marshalling technology, instrumentation, final control elements and analytics solutions to optimize the performance of the SoCalGas [H2] Innovation Experience. 

 

Learn more about how Emerson technologies are enabling SoCal Gas to deliver clean energy in this case study.

 

Related Articles

Editor’s Pick: Featured Article

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s scalable engineering software, u-control 2000, adapts individually to your requirements. And, the u-control is powerful, compact and fully compatible with Weidmüller’s I/O system u-remote. This article looks at what makes u-control the heart of your automation.

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are one of the main components of any automated system. A typical control system has inputs, outputs, controllers (i.e., PLCs), and some type of human interaction with the system, a human machine interface (HMI), for example.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Case Study: Optimizing Harmonic Mitigation in Wastewater Treatment

    June 22, 2026 Segment and Application In a municipality, wastewater treatment plants typically stand out as the main consumers of electricity. The operational processes exhibit significant load variations throughout a 24-hour cycle, necessitating the use of AC drives to regulate pumps, blowers, and other motorized equipment in response to fluctuating demand. In one wastewater treatment… Read More…

  • Why Do Mission-Critical Facilities Need Seismic-Rated Server Racks?

    June 17, 2026 When organizations think about seismic preparedness, they typically focus on buildings, backup generators, and emergency response plans. However, one critical component is often overlooked: the rack supporting the network infrastructure. For hospitals, emergency operations centers, municipal facilities, utilities, and public safety agencies, network connectivity is essential during and after a seismic event.… Read More…