Mote Partners with SMUD on New Biomass-to-Hydrogen Facility in Sacramento

Aug. 10, 2023
The facility will produce approximately 21,000 MTPY of carbon-negative hydrogen through the gasification of woody waste and forest residues

In partnership with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Mote Inc. is constructing a biomass-to-hydrogen and carbon-sequestering plant in Sacramento, California, which will produce approximately 21,000 MTPY of carbon-negative hydrogen through the gasification of woody waste for use in thermal power generation and transportation.

“On our path toward a sustainable future, SMUD remains dedicated to harnessing the power of our partnerships and technologies to create green energy solutions and opportunities for the entire region," said Lora Anguay, SMUD Chief Zero Carbon Officer. “We are driving positive environmental change, championing large-scale utility decarbonization, and fostering an equitable transition toward a clean energy economy and future that benefits all communities."

Supported by $1.2 million in grant funding from the United States Forest Service, the California Department of Conservation, and the California Department of Forestry, the facility will utilize up to 300,000 MTPY of forest residues and wood waste from regional forest management programs to produce the hydrogen. The facility will also sequester more than 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in underground saline aquifers.

“There is a pressing need for durable, large-scale carbon removal and scalable solutions that provide low-cost, clean hydrogen in the ongoing energy transition. Mote’s technology does both,” said Joshuah Stolaroff, Mote CEO. “Our use of wastes to fight climate change saves money, land, and resources compared to alternative options.”

Recently, Mote also received a formal invitation to submit a Part II application to the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office Title 17 Clean Energy Financing program. This program, which has a max budget of $300 billion for clean energy, facility decarbonization, and energy infrastructure reinvestment projects, can provide loan guarantees up to 80% of eligible project costs.

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District is the host of T&D World Live Conference & Exhibition held in Sacramento, CA September 12-14, 2023

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About the Author

Breanna Sandridge, Senior Editor

Breanna Sandridge is senior editor for EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge, both part of the energy group at Endeavor Business Media.

Prior to that, Breanna was managing editor for Machinery Lubrication and Reliable Plant magazines, both part of Noria Corp. She has two years experience covering the industrial sector.

She also is a 2021 graduate of Northeastern State University (Oklahoma) with a Bachelor's in English.