Renewable fuels company brings new technology to Richmond

Raven SR Inc., a renewable fuels company specializing in producing clean hydrogen from waste, has cleared all the hurdles to construct a facility in Richmond that will convert organic waste into renewable hydrogen.

The facility, located at the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill, plans to process up to 99 wet tons of organic waste per day, producing approximately 2,400 metric tons of renewable hydrogen annually. Hydrogen will be collected and supplied to regional fueling stations serving passenger and commercial fuel cell vehicles, according to the company, which says hydrogen will not be stored on-site.

The company's technology utilizes a non-combustion, non-catalytic thermal, chemical-reductive process that converts organic waste and landfill gas into hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels. Differing from other hydrogen production technologies, its Steam/CO2 Reformation does not require fresh water as a feedstock and uses less than half the energy of electrolysis. The process is more efficient than conventional hydrogen production and can deliver fuel with low to negative carbon intensity.

Matt Murdock, CEO of Raven SR, said the new facility will demonstrate that it can convert waste that would otherwise emit methane into clean hydrogen without combustion or toxic emissions.

“At a time when many hydrogen projects have stalled or been cancelled, Raven SR’s Richmond facility will stand as proof that innovation and persistence still win,” Murdock said.

Chevron New Energies is collaborating on the project, working alongside Raven SR to help bring renewable energy to Richmond.

Chevron spokesperson Caitlin Powell told Grandview that Chevron is delivering the energy a growing world needs today, while building the global energy system of tomorrow. "We are investing in innovative projects and technology start-ups that can lower the cost and carbon intensity of hydrogen production and delivery, such as the waste-to-hydrogen production facility here in Richmond with Raven SR," Powell said.

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the project reflects the type of investment and perseverance needed to achieve both Richmond’s and California's clean-air and decarbonization goals.

“California and the City of Richmond are leading the transition to a clean hydrogen economy, and projects like Raven SR’s demonstrate how innovation can turn waste challenges into clean-energy and workforce opportunities,” Martinez said.

Raven says its goal is to generate as much of its own power on-site as possible to reduce reliance on and become independent of the grid.

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