Error: Field cannot left blank.
Error: Invalid entry. Do not use equal signs [=] or colons [:].
Error: Field cannot left blank.
Error: Invalid entry. Do not use equal signs [=] or colons [:].
Why Hydrogen?
We believe hydrogen will play a critical role in California’s decarbonized future. In addition to decarbonizing the gas system, using zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen can help reduce the carbon footprint in hard-to-electrify areas.
Hydrogen is relevant to PG&E as a fuel, as a feedstock for renewable natural gas (RNG), or as a carbon-free energy carrier when blended with natural gas. We will leverage our integrated natural gas and electric businesses to explore applications for hydrogen such as fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), fuel for electric microgrids, and combustion in existing power plants and appliances. Hydrogen is one of the ways PG&E is aiming for a net-zero carbon energy system in 2040—five years ahead of California’s carbon-neutrality goal.
The Hydrogen to Infinity project
PG&E and our collaborators have launched the nation’s most comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen gas transmission facility, called Hydrogen to Infinity or H2∞. It will blend hydrogen and natural gas in an isolated transmission pipeline and storage system. The 130-acre facility will be built in Lodi, California and serve as an operational proving ground for hydrogen production pathways, pipeline transportation, storage, and ultimately, combustion at the Lodi Energy Center power plant. The facility will include a laboratory, a workforce training center and public information spaces.
H2∞ will use clean hydrogen powered with on-site renewable energy, supplemented by the local electric grid that includes significant renewable power. The water source for the hydrogen production is the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Treatment facility. It can provide reclaimed water with zero impact to the local water supply.
Green hydrogen has several potential applications, including fuel for the transportation market, especially in heavy-duty vehicles, marine and rail. Hydrogen is also well suited for use as seasonal energy storage, and hydrogen-natural gas blends are being considered for direct use in existing gas appliances.
The H2∞ project will also demonstrate gas separation technologies. When hydrogen is injected into the natural gas system, once downstream, it could be separated from the natural gas to provide high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cell electric vehicles or for carbon emission free fuel cell electricity production. In fact, the only by-product from fuel cells is pure water!
PG&E supports the demonstrations by the other California pipeline operators that focus on distribution pressure projects and end uses. Together with our project, all aspects of hydrogen blending into existing natural gas infrastructure are covered to prepare for a state-wide hydrogen injection standard.
Hydrogen to Infinity overview

Our goal is to make the hydrogen project operational by the end of 2024, with two more phases in following years. The three phases may be built in parallel as well.
H2∞ will study different levels of hydrogen and natural gas blends in a stand-alone multi-feed, multi-directional natural gas pipeline system. This will include testing different vintage gas pipes and inform a safe level of hydrogen we can blend into the existing system by 2030. The facility is planned to operate for a minimum of 10 years and extend indefinitely as an operating asset.
Three phases
Phase 1: By end of 2024

Phase 2

Phase 3

- Evaluating new and existing pipeline and storage assets in a controlled natural gas and hydrogen blend environment.
- Testing the majority of transmission assets and creating a lasting research and innovation space.
- Developing expertise and training personnel in operations, maintenance and safety through hands-on operational experience with a hydrogen blended system.
- Fostering innovation and advancements toward the future of gas pipelines and energy supply systems.
- Reaching climate goals by showcasing the ability to displace fossil natural gas with low-carbon hydrogen in the natural gas system, positively impacting climate change.
- Educating and informing community leaders, customers and the public about using hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel and its role in helping decarbonize energy systems.
Visit Northern California Power Agency
If you would like to discuss potential future hydrogen collaborations with PG&E, please email Hydrogen@pge.com.
The Hydrogen to Infinity project

PG&E and our collaborators have launched the nation’s most comprehensive end-to-end hydrogen gas transmission facility, called Hydrogen to Infinity or H2∞. It will blend hydrogen and natural gas in an isolated transmission pipeline and storage system. The 130-acre facility will be built in Lodi, California and serve as an operational proving ground for hydrogen production pathways, pipeline transportation, storage, and ultimately, combustion at the Lodi Energy Center power plant. The facility will include a laboratory, a workforce training center and public information spaces.
H2∞ will use clean hydrogen powered with on-site renewable energy, supplemented by the local electric grid that includes significant renewable power. The water source for the hydrogen production is the City of Lodi’s White Slough Water Treatment facility. It can provide reclaimed water with zero impact to the local water supply.
Green hydrogen has several potential applications, including fuel for the transportation market, especially in heavy-duty vehicles, marine and rail. Hydrogen is also well suited for use as seasonal energy storage, and hydrogen-natural gas blends are being considered for direct use in existing gas appliances.
The H2∞ project will also demonstrate gas separation technologies. When hydrogen is injected into the natural gas system, once downstream, it could be separated from the natural gas to provide high-purity hydrogen for use in fuel cell electric vehicles or for carbon emission free fuel cell electricity production. In fact, the only by-product from fuel cells is pure water!
PG&E supports the demonstrations by the other California pipeline operators that focus on distribution pressure projects and end uses. Together with our project, all aspects of hydrogen blending into existing natural gas infrastructure are covered to prepare for a state-wide hydrogen injection standard.
Hydrogen to Infinity overview

Our goal is to make the hydrogen project operational by the end of 2024, with two more phases in following years. The three phases may be built in parallel as well.
H2∞ will study different levels of hydrogen and natural gas blends in a stand-alone multi-feed, multi-directional natural gas pipeline system. This will include testing different vintage gas pipes and inform a safe level of hydrogen we can blend into the existing system by 2030. The facility is planned to operate for a minimum of 10 years and extend indefinitely as an operating asset.
Three phases
Phase 1: By end of 2024

Phase 2

Phase 3

- Evaluating new and existing pipeline and storage assets in a controlled natural gas and hydrogen blend environment.
- Testing the majority of transmission assets and creating a lasting research and innovation space.
- Developing expertise and training personnel in operations, maintenance and safety through hands-on operational experience with a hydrogen blended system.
- Fostering innovation and advancements toward the future of gas pipelines and energy supply systems.
- Reaching climate goals by showcasing the ability to displace fossil natural gas with low-carbon hydrogen in the natural gas system, positively impacting climate change.
- Educating and informing community leaders, customers and the public about using hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel and its role in helping decarbonize energy systems.
If you would like to discuss potential future hydrogen collaborations with PG&E, please email Hydrogen@pge.com.
Additional hydrogen efforts
California Hydrogen Hub
PG&E is participating with other stakeholders to develop a California Hydrogen Hub through the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) that may be awarded funding by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE has made $8 billion available to fund six to ten regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across the country. These hubs will enable hydrogen as a key component of America’s future clean energy economy. Concept papers were due November 7, 2022, and full applications are due by April 7, 2023.
Research and development
PG&E has been actively involved in R&D around hydrogen production, hydrogen blending in the natural gas system and hydrogen utilization since 2018. A hydrogen roadmap was developed and guides key R&D activities to move the company towards achieving a carbon neutral and renewable gas system.
- Production
Priorities for hydrogen production R&D work includes steam methane reforming with carbon capture, methane pyrolysis and using biomass as a starting feedstock. - Blending
Priorities for hydrogen blending in the natural gas system include understanding the impacts to integrity management, network capacity, underground storage, end use equipment, and leak mitigation and management. - Utilization
Priorities for hydrogen utilization include modifying existing natural gas customer equipment to run on a blend of natural gas and hydrogen and developing zero NOx emission hydrogen combustion processes.
Please refer to the R&D roadmap (PDF) for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe with atomic number 1 on the periodic table and is the simplest and lightest of the elements. Hydrogen gas, having two atoms (H2), is colorless, odorless, non-toxic and highly flammable.
Hydrogen doesn’t exist in large quantities in pure form on earth. It is always combined with other elements like carbon and oxygen. Examples include methane (CH4) and water (H2O). To isolate pure hydrogen, it must be separated from those other elements. This is done through two main methods: electrolysis and thermal conversion.
Electrolysis is the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen and requires electricity. If the power source is renewable electricity the process is completely carbon free.
The most common thermal conversion method is a process called steam methane reforming (SMR). SMR is a reaction of methane and water to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Other thermal conversion hydrogen production methods include methane pyrolysis and biomass gasification. Each can be lower in atmospheric carbon emissions than SMR.
Clean hydrogen is hydrogen made in a way that contributes little or no CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. This can be done with electrolysis powered by renewable energy or by thermal conversion of renewable natural gas, SMR with carbon capture or gasification of biomass also with carbon capture.
The PG&E system has pipelines, regulators and valves of varying types that were installed over time. Testing the vintage equipment ensures that we understand how those assets will operate over a long period of time with a blend of hydrogen and natural gas.
A Hydrogen Blending Impacts Study (PDF) was completed by the University of California, Riverside in July, 2022. You can reference this study on the California Public Utilities Commission website.
Related documents
More on hydrogen
2023 Corporate Sustainability Report
Read about PG&E's investment and innovation in energy.
PG&E biomethane page
Learn how PG&E supports your biomethane interconnection projects.
©2023 Pacific Gas and Electric Company
©2023 Pacific Gas and Electric Company