Hydrogen Microgrid project under development at California Technical Park

March 15, 2023
GKN's HY2MEDI operates autonomously, controlling the microgrid and delivering electricity as needed to support technology development activities at the Technical Park, including a biogas to hydrogen reforming project under development by the University of

GKN Hydrogen and recycler Circle Green have announced the operation of a microgrid project at the Circle Green Technical Park near Adelanto, California.

The project utilizes GKN Hydrogen’s HY2MEDI energy storage system (ESS), which replaces a propane generator and stores excess solar electricity using metal hydride hydrogen storage.

GKN Hydrogen is a Germany-based energy equipment solutions provider and Circle Green, doing business as Beneficial AG Services, is a recycling center in Ontario California.

The California Energy Commission provided $1.77 million in funding for the project, which aims to support renewable energy technology development and decarbonize the power grid.

“This HY2MEDI project helps us demonstrate the potential in repurposing the former Meadowbrook Dairy as a renewable technology development site,” said Kevin Sutton, CEO and Owner of Circle Green, the project developer of a new composting and green fuel production facility. “The Circle Green Technical Park will help develop and demonstrate the technologies that will enable microgrids to operate autonomously, be used to balance the future electricity grid, and help decarbonize our economy.”

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The HY2MEDI operates autonomously, controlling the microgrid and delivering electricity as needed to support technology development activities at the Technical Park, including a biogas to hydrogen reforming project under development by the University of Southern California.

The performance of the HY2MEDI installation will be evaluated under a range of environmental and operational conditions at the high desert site near dry lakebed Lake El Mirage.

“This Mojave Desert location provides us the opportunity to validate the performance of GKN Hydrogen’s HY2MEDI energy storage system when exposed to environmental extremes including hot summer temperatures,” said Gottfried Rier, Chief Technology Officer at GKN Hydrogen.