Raven SR, a renewable fuels company, has received unanimous approval from the Richmond City Council for its organic waste-to-hydrogen bioenergy project.
This groundbreaking project, located in Richmond, California, will utilize diverted waste as a feedstock to produce hydrogen through a Steam/CO2 Reforming process. The approval of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) permit marks a significant milestone in advancing the world’s first facility of its kind.
The project aims to divert up to 99 wet tons of green and food waste per day from the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill (WCCLS), operated by Republic Services, into Raven SR’s non-combustion Steam/CO2 Reforming process. This process is expected to generate approximately 2,400 metric tons of renewable hydrogen per year. In addition to producing clean hydrogen, the project will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in the community.
The facility’s environmental benefits align with California’s SB 1383 mandates, which aim to reduce organic waste in landfills and mitigate associated methane emissions. By diverting waste from the landfill, the project has the potential to avoid up to 7,200 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. Moreover, the project will utilize methane from the landfill to generate at least 60% of its own electricity, reducing the reliance on grid power and further minimizing air emissions.
The Raven SR Richmond project has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Bioenergy Association of California and the City of Richmond. Julia Levin, Executive Director of the Bioenergy Association of California, highlights the significance of reducing short-lived climate pollutants and the immediate benefits to public health. Mayor Eduardo Martinez of the City of Richmond expresses excitement for the city’s commitment to addressing climate change and providing sustainable solutions.
In terms of technology, Raven SR utilizes a non-combustion thermal, chemical reductive process to convert organic waste and landfill gas into hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels. The Steam/CO2 Reforming process stands out for its water efficiency, using less than half the energy required for electrolysis-based hydrogen production. The result is a more efficient and environmentally friendly method that can deliver low to negative carbon intensity fuels.
Raven SR’s modular design enables scalable production of renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels from local waste. The company aims to generate as much onsite power as possible, reducing dependence on the grid and promoting energy independence. By partnering with off-take agreement holders, including Hyzon Motors and Chevron New Energies, Raven SR has secured a market for the hydrogen produced, supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles in the Bay Area and Northern California.
The project is now in the final stages of obtaining a permit from the Bay Area Air Quality Management Department (BAAQMD). Once authorized to commence construction, Raven SR plans to break ground this summer, with full commercial operations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024.
