South Jersey Industries (SJI) and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Atlantic Shores) to collaborate on a green hydrogen pilot program, which will research, monitor, and analyze the deployment of hydrogen technology and natural gas blending in New Jersey.
Atlantic Shores is pursuing the development of a portfolio of offshore wind generating facilities on the Atlantic and Ocean County coasts, and SJI and Atlantic Shores have entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore utilizing the excess electricity generated from the wind projects to create “green hydrogen,” a renewable energy source that can be blended with SJI’s supply to lower carbon intensity. SJI will provide expertise in natural gas blending process and access to infrastructure to successfully operate the pilot.
“Through the proposed green hydrogen pilot program, we look forward to helping our region realize the full value chain of offshore wind by multiplying the clean energy impact through hydrogen blending in our natural gas system. This project will further our strategy of pursuing decarbonization initiatives to advance our renewable energy goals and will add to our track record of successful clean energy endeavors such as advanced energy efficiency offerings, methane leak reduction investments and our conservation incentive program (CIP).”
Mike Renna, SJI president and chief executive officer.
“Our team at Atlantic Shores is very excited to partner with New Jersey’s SJI on this innovative project. Our pilot project will be an important steppingstone to enable a wider application of green hydrogen in New Jersey and will expand opportunities for research and academic collaborations, such as Atlantic Shores’ collaboration with the Laboratory for Energy Smart Systems (LESS) program at Rutgers University, and serve to anchor more green innovation in the State.”
Joris Veldhoven, Atlantic Shores’ commercial director.
The Atlantic Shores/SJI Partnership is expanding SJI’s renewable energy pipeline projects and efforts in 2020 including the establishment of a Clean Energy and Sustainability team, responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing all clean energy and sustainability initiatives for the organization, and the development of a renewable energy joint venture to manage the fuel cell project and investments in renewable natural gas (RNG) and solar installations.
