Sierra Energy has won a US$100,000 grant from the US Defense Logistics Agency to further explore the production of hydrogen fuel from waste.
Sierra Energy’s patented FastOx gasifier converts waste into an energy-dense gas with high hydrogen content. The system’s operational efficiency will be able to produce hydrogen at a comparatively low cost. The award from the Defense Logistics Agency is key to Sierra Energy’s efforts to help California realize Governor Jerry Brown’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Sierra Energy said it is working closely with regulatory agencies to support Governor Brown’s plans to reduce emissions. Recently, the California Air Resources Board stated that it is establishing goals to significantly increase the use of alternative fuels like biofuels, electricity, hydrogen and renewable natural gas.
“Unfortunately, the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is currently hampered by challenges in production, storage and transportation. FastOx gasification can mitigate these issues by efficiently generating hydrogen fuel in population centers that produce waste,” Sierra Energy said.
“For example, the agricultural waste disposed by farmlands along interstate 5 represent an energy-rich feedstock for hydrogen production. By deploying FastOx gasification to these areas, it is possible to close the existing distribution gaps in California’s Hydrogen Highway.”