Element Resources is focused on being a significant participant in the emerging green hydrogen markets, developing projects of scale with the city of Lancaster.
Element Resources is primarily focused on green hydrogen production and developing projects of scale, particularly within the Western United States, with an emphasis on California. We are presently advancing a clean energy (green hydrogen) production facility in Lancaster, California, capable of producing between 20,000 and 24,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen.
We have secured land and water rights and have made substantial progress in permitting, equipment selection, and off take development. We are presently aiming for a final investment decision by 1 QTR 2024.
We are a member of ARCHES, California’s effort to accelerate the use of hydrogen and the development of supporting infrastructure throughout the state.
The potential of expanding green hydrogen production
We are evaluating the potential of systematic expansion of green hydrogen production in the Lancaster area and surrounding environs to keep pace with future demands. The product, green hydrogen, will be 100% carbon zero with a carbon intensity of zero. We have encountered a significant prospective demand for green hydrogen, SAF, and other hydrogen derivates.
The mobility, aviation, agriculture, mining, and industrial sectors have all shown keen interest in the potential of green hydrogen and its derivates throughout California and the region.
A new Memorandum of Understanding between Lancaster and Element Resources further proves Lancaster’s commitment to becoming the first US Hydrogen City.
The Mayor of Lancaster, R Rex Parris, said: “The City of Lancaster is thrilled to continue to expand our partnership with Element Resources through this MOU. With this agreement, the city looks forward to continuing the fight against climate extinction through green energy development and innovation. Through partnerships with private companies, we are not only leading the clean energy revolution, but we are bringing multitudes of high-paying energy jobs to our city.”1
Addressing the challenges associated with a hydrogen facility
We are addressing the challenges of designing, constructing, and operating a green hydrogen facility reliant solely upon photovoltaic solar (any intermittent renewable resource requires diligence in concept selection, not only in the basic plant configuration but also the selection of the primary equipment to enable the plant to operate efficiently and safely with the intermittency of the primary power supply).
Intermittency of power supply with PV solar – the power to operate the facility while remaining 100% renewable poses challenges with the ‘time of day’ intermittency occurring with the day-night cycle; the solar array providing maximum power during periods of maximum solar irradiation (i.e. midday); and providing zero power during night time hours.
This daily intermittency, coupled with differentials of the solar irradiation day length seasonally, provides a challenge in equipment functionality and a need for a comprehensive understanding through modelling/simulation of plant and equipment utilisation.
The utilisation of power supplied by public utilities via the electricity grid is impractical insofar as the cost per kilowatt renders the use of ‘grid’ electricity impractical on an economic basis for green hydrogen in California.
Coupled with the costs of interconnection and the time lag for obtaining the interconnection, grid electricity is impractical. Grid electricity may not be 100% renewable, effectively introducing carbon into the production of hydrogen.
