NREL and Sempra Energy mark 10 years of promoting low carbon fuels and microgrids

In Colorado, NREL and Sempra Energy are now leveraging a decade of successful collaborative work to target global carbon neutrality. 

NREL and Sempra Energy’s cooperative, multiyear projects exploring low-carbon fuels and microgrid technology have reaped success—including some groundbreaking achievements. 

In 2013, Sempra Energy subsidiary San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and NREL established the nation’s first utility-owned community microgrid in Borrego Springs, California. In 2017, Sempra Energy subsidiary Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and NREL partnered to create, validate, and integrate the nation’s first carbon-free, power-to-gas pilot system. In 2019, NREL and partners SoCalGas and Electrochaea joined to dedicate the nation’s first hydrogen-to-methane bioreactor. 

Now, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in June 2021 formalizes a joint effort by NREL and Sempra Energy to continue advancing clean energy systems. It is designed to foster technical and scientific collaboration among both organizations, aligning their independent commitments to mutual goals. 

Under the MOU, Sempra Energy and NREL will coordinate and share objectives focused on: 

Advancing artificial intelligence to scale solutions across the United States and enable cities to reach clean energy goals 

Integrating low-carbon fuel solutions, including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration, and fuel cells 

Exploring innovative solutions towards 100% renewable energy communities requiring and implementing smart and enhanced controls, integration, and operational capabilities as a blueprint for expansion 

Future-proofing electric grids with technology that upgrades the infrastructure with a focus on reliability, connectivity, and security 

Promoting viable net-zero solutions that are delivered with equity and widespread community access.