California Resources Corporation (CRC) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bloom Energy to jointly evaluate and develop 1 GW or more of solid-oxide fuel cell power generation paired with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in California.
The agreement pairs Bloom’s scalable fuel cell platform and third-party carbon capture technology with the subsurface CO2 transportation and permanent storage capabilities of CRC’s carbon management subsidiary, Carbon TerraVault (CTV).
The initial evaluation scope covers both front-of-the-meter (FTM) utility-scale projects and behind-the-meter (BTM) installations situated across CRC’s Central Valley footprint. In aggregate, the proposed deployments could yield up to 3 million metric tons per year of captured CO2 for permanent geological sequestration.
The collaboration leverages the chemical characteristics of solid-oxide fuel cell generation. Because Bloom’s non-combustion fuel cells produce a highly concentrated CO2 exhaust stream compared to conventional fossil combustion, the technology significantly reduces the energy penalty and capital expenditure required for downstream post-combustion gas separation.
The companies are targeting commercial pathways across a range of energy-intensive offtake customers seeking firm, baseload power, including:
The framework addresses growing demand from data center developers, industrial facilities, municipalities, and community choice aggregators facing strict state grid reliability mandates and corporate net-zero targets.
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Under the structure, FTM installations will connect directly to CTV’s regional storage reservoirs, while BTM projects will deliver clean, on-site power generation to critical infrastructure across Northern and Central California.
“California needs more clean, firm, reliable, and affordable power generated here at home,” said Francisco Leon, President and CEO of California Resources.
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