Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) Chief Executive Officer Scott Drury was joined by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to unveil and officially power on the H₂ Innovation Experience H₂IE, North America's first-of its kind, clean, renewable H₂ microgrid and home. The H₂ Innovation Experience offers a look at how clean, renewable H₂ microgrids can reliably power entire neighborhoods, day and night throughout the year. This type of clean H₂ microgrid has the potential to deliver reliable and renewable energy around-the-clock to more than 100 homes, rain or shine, for as much as seven days.

"Innovative projects like the H₂IE demonstrate how California is leading the clean energy transition," said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis. "This first-of-its-kind project shows how clean renewable hydrogen and microgrids can help power homes, enhance grid reliability, and preserve and grow good-paying union jobs in our state."

"The H₂ Innovation Experience showcases how California can achieve two of its top policy priorities – energy reliability and decarbonization – at the same time," said SoCalGas Chief Executive Officer, Scott Drury. "This innovative project demonstrates how the gas and electric grids – working together – can help California reach net-zero emissions more quickly, affordably, and reliably."

Located at the SoCalGas Energy Resource Center in the city of Downey, the H₂ Innovation Experience is centered around a state-of-the-art microgrid that is producing clean, renewable H₂ made from solar electricity onsite. The 2,000 square-foot home was built to adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum standards and is powered by reliable and clean, renewable H₂ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The microgrid draws power from solar panels on sunny days and converts excess energy into renewable H₂, which can be stored and then converted back into electricity via an onsite H₂ fuel cell. Clean, renewable H₂ will also be blended with natural gas and used in the home's tankless water heater, clothes dryer, stove, fireplace and BBQ grill.

"For a business like ours that builds critical infrastructure and helps diverse communities across California thrive, hydrogen represents our next infrastructure boom," said George Pla, founder and CEO of Cordoba Corporation. "The H₂IE is symbolic of what this can look like in everyday lives. California is blessed with vibrant diverse businesses needed to support this next generation of energy infrastructure."

"The H₂IE has significant positive implications for the future of California's businesses," said Jennifer Barrera, president and CEO of CalChamber. "Our businesses need access to clean and reliable energy. California's business community is enthusiastic about this project and the promise of cleaner technologies that best meet our needs."