We report on the development of a hydrogen power park for Eureka, CA, which utilizes landfill gas as the energy input. The park is an energy facility that generates electricity, heat, and hydrogen fuel for vehicles. Using funding from the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) and Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), we have completed a feasibility study for this facility. We have identified a preferred design alternative, built significant community involvement and support, and performed an economic analysis.

This project originated with a winning entry in the NHA's 2005 H2U student design contest. A team from Humboldt State University (HSU) won the competition and presented their design at the 2005 annual meeting. Based on their presentation, Dr. Don Paul of CTV invited the team to present to Chevron executives and engineers. At that meeting, the project transformed from a student design to a real-world project.

The power park design utilizes landfill gas (LFG) from the local Cummings Road landfill. The landfill is now closed. It is presently undergoing a decommissioning procedure, which involves drilling new extraction wells and capping, making this project timely. In California, landfill gas is considered a renewable energy source and thus, the electricity produced by this facility will count towards the renewable portfolio standards in California.

The project group has met with many public agencies and governments, including the Eureka City Council, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Board of Directors of the Humboldt Waste Management Authority (owners of the landfill), North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, Humboldt Transit Authority (the local bus company), Humboldt County Energy Authority, Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health, and HSU. We report on these interactions and the important process of building community support for the project.

One of the critical stakeholders is the local utility, the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). PG&E operates the both the electric and natural gas grids in our area. We investigated the possibility of cleaning the LFG to pipeline natural gas (PNG) quality, injecting it into the pipeline, and extracting it downstream at the power park site. Although there are several LFG to PNG projects scattered around the U.S., there are none in California. Our investigation turned out to be an extremely complex and revealing process. We researched gas clean-up technologies and vendors, regulations affecting LFG and PNG, and had numerous discussions with PG&E. We report on these activities, some interesting and important facts we uncovered, and the conclusions that resulted.

We conclude by describing our preferred design alternative, recent developments, and plans to proceed with the next steps in the project.