Cryogenic Hydrogen Infrastructure Replacement Product
Zero Emission Industries, Inc.
Recipient
South San Francisco, CA
Recipient Location
13th
Senate District
21st
Assembly District
$1,487,900
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
Through Q2 2025, the Cryogenic Hydrogen Infrastructure Replacement Product (CHIRP) project has made advancements in the development and review of core technologies including the finalization of designs for the boil off gas capture system and cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) transfer manifold. Peer review of the system’s piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) is completed, and the project’s focus is on the procurement of critical components. Efforts are centered on ensuring procurement schedules remain aligned with established timelines. Testing and demonstration sites as well as the LH2 equipment being filled for the project is continually being analyzed for consideration.
The Issue
Due to its high energy density and lack of emissions when run through a fuel cell, liquid hydrogen is a key alternative fuel for decarbonizing heavy-duty and long-haul equipment. This equipment, while lower in number, represent a significant portion of pollutants being released into our planet’s atmosphere. Today, there are no identified liquid hydrogen bunkering solutions in California, and the cost to develop a permanent station cannot be justified without existing offtake. Additionally, during a liquid hydrogen fueling, a portion of the cryogenic liquid being transferred evaporates to a gas and in most scenarios, is vented into the atmosphere, resulting in economic loss.
Project Innovation
The purpose of this project is to fund the development and demonstration of a mobile liquid hydrogen bunkering solution for medium and heavy-duty maritime applications. This refueler will enable the use of liquid hydrogen fueled ships and cargo handling equipment to help decarbonize California ports. The findings from this project could be immediately applicable to decarbonization efforts in many heavy-duty transportation sectors and will facilitate the adoption of zero emission heavy equipment. In addition, the system aims to capture and repurpose boil-off gas that would otherwise be lost in the process.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
The development of CHIRP would provide California with a flexible, cost-effective solution for fueling emerging hydrogen-powered heavy-duty equipment, avoiding the high capital investment and long permitting timelines associated with permanent infrastructure. By incorporating boil-off gas capture, the system minimizes fuel losses and maximizes economic efficiency, ensuring more of the purchased hydrogen is available for productive use. This mobility enables rapid deployment of fueling capabilities to support new liquid hydrogen vehicles and equipment across the state, accelerating adoption in freight, maritime, and industrial sectors. As these heavy-duty applications transition to hydrogen, California stands to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, advancing both climate and air quality goals.
Environmental Sustainability
The development of this system would allow equipment operators to deploy and demonstrate new decarbonized liquid hydrogen use-cases and leverage the existing solution as a pathway for fuel transfer.
Economic Development
Capturing boil-off gas that would otherwise be vented during the liquid hydrogen fuel transfer process enables an opportunity for economic gain which would otherwise be a loss for both the supplier and the customer.
Affordability
The development of mobile hydrogen infrastructure reduces the upfront economic burden of deploying new technology by reducing regulatory requirements and permitting otherwise involved in breaking ground in California.
Key Project Members
Joseph Pratt
Match Partners
Zero Emission Industries, Inc.
Crowley Engineering Services
