The Role of RNG in Achieving Carbon Neutrality Learn how the - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Role of RNG in Achieving Carbon Neutrality

Learn how the University of California system is reaching their goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 with the use of renewable natural gas Mark Byron Executive Director - Renewable Energy Programs University of California Office of the President

Two views of UC

The University of California improves the lives of people in California and around the world through world-class educational opportunities, groundbreaking research, top-rated health care and agricultural expertise.

The University of California

The University of California improves the lives of people in California and around the world through world-class educational opportunities, groundbreaking research, top-rated health care and agricultural expertise.

The University of California

300,000 MT Scope 2 700,000 MT Scope 1 Cogeneration power plants Boilers Natural gas combustion

UC’s Current Emissions

Assessing the Challenge

Natural Gas 63%

Fleet 2% Refrigerants 1% Other Scope 1 1%

Electricit y 29%

Steam 4%

The on-campus combustion

• f natural gas represents
• ur primary challenge in

reducing emissions.

Why carbon neutrality matters

Mission

University of California’s buildings and fleets will become net carbon neutral by 2025.

Vision

The University of California is developing scalable solutions to build the low-carbon future our research has proven to be imperative.

UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative

Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina Charles David Keeling

UC Research

UC’s Sustainable Practices Policy Introduction

The University of California is committed to responsible stewardship of resources and to demonstrating leadership in sustainable business practices. The University’s locations should be living laboratories for sustainability, contributing to the research and educational mission of the University, consistent with available funding and safe operational practices

Our action will:

• Reflect UC’s core mission of research, teaching, and

public service

• Be financially responsible
• Provide tangible environmental and social benefits
• Optimize existing and future campus infrastructure

The Plan

Solution-set Hierarchy, Independent of Cost Considerations

Prioritizing Solutions

CARBON NEUTRAL

Biogas is here

UC now has over 100 renewable energy supplies on-line

UC Irvine Rooftop Systems (4.3MW)

Utility-scale - Five Points (60 MW)

UC is developing Biomethane projects...

…and signing offtake agreements for Biomethane

Our latest project is under construction in Rialto, CA

Biogas and UC

Why Biogas Is Part of UC’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy

• CH4 * Air (O2) = CO2 and H2O [source of carbon footprint]
• Solutions - Competition from offsets, competition from capital projects

– CH4 + (BioGas) = 0 carbon foot print – CO2 + (Offsets) = 0 carbon foot print – Electrification

• Biogas

– Alleviates the need for Allowances – Has great environmental benefits (co-benefits of solids and effluent) – Creates useful work, displaces NG – Assists in capital planning cycle – Solution is in the pipe – Resiliency in a PSPS world – US locations

UC in the market: We are Buying Gas

• Looking for (a lot) of new supply

– See Sam Schabacker – RFP likely – cap and trade eligible

• What UC Brings:

– Long-term, fixed-price off taker – Credit-worthy counterparty – Leading research institution – Openness to innovative deal structures

• Suggestions:

– Think about driving down COGS – Value of leverage – Ability to provide credit support – Openness to innovative deal structures