Bringing Rapid Innovation to Distributed Green Energy with Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen
Summary
SCH Number
2025110030
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Bringing Rapid Innovation to Distributed Green Energy with Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/3/2025
Document Description
The project aims to design, build, and demonstrate a cost-effective cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) distribution system to deliver zero-emission electricity for California's ratepayers, addressing grid supply constraints and electrification challenges. The project will develop a cryo-compressed hydrogen trailer with higher capacity than traditional trailers and a cryo-cooler that is 50% cheaper than hydrogen liquefaction at similar scales. This system will provide hydrogen-to-power solutions for commercial operations, including battery-electric vehicle charging, bypassing grid limitations and reducing dependency on costly infrastructure upgrades.
Key activities include:
• Design and Development: Creating a high-capacity CcH2 trailer, filling station, and cryo-cooling system.
• Procurement and Installation: Assembling the equipment at WestAir's Long Beach facility and ensuring operational reliability through rigorous testing.
• Commercial Demonstration: Operating the system in a real-world environment to validate performance, efficiency, and scalability.
• Knowledge Transfer and Benefits Analysis: Sharing results to promote adoption and assessing the economic, environmental, and technological benefits.
Contact Information
Name
Heriberto Rosales
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
EGSSI
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Bav Roy
Agency Name
Verne Inc.
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
long, Long Beach
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Zip
90813
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15301
Reasons for Exemption
The CEQA exemption under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301, Existing Facilities, applies. Section 15301 covers the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This project involves the designing and building of a mobile cryo-compressed hydrogen distribution platform. Both design and build activities will take place in existing research facilities. The mobile cryo-compressed hydrogen distribution platform will then be temporarily demonstrated at existing facilities in Long Beach, California, without the need for additional construction. The deployment of this fueling system is not expected to increase activity at the demonstration site beyond normal. Hydrogen safety rules will be followed, according to a hydrogen safety plan.
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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