Pathway library

Find your asset. See its CI, programs, and expected annuity.

Each pathway below is one we have a templated CARB filing for. Walk through the card to confirm fit, then drop your numbers into the calculator for a more precise read.

Pathway 01

Fuel cell + directed biogas

Solid-oxide or molten-carbonate FCs running on biogas-attribute-matched pipeline gas (Calgren, Pixley, etc.). The most economical sub-1 MW carbon pathway in California today.

CARB LCFS WREGIS REC (bundled) Tier 2
Typical CI-90 gCO2e/MJ
Cert time90–120 days
Expected $/yr$60–180/kW
500 kW asset~$80K gross
Pathway 02

Fuel cell + pipeline natural gas

FCs on standard utility gas. CI delta is small (~15 gCO2e/MJ vs 80 baseline) because the fuel itself is fossil. RECs not eligible. We typically recommend operators upgrade to directed biogas.

CARB LCFS (small) Tier 1
Typical CI+65 gCO2e/MJ
Cert time30–45 days
Expected $/yr$8–22/kW
500 kW asset~$10K gross
Pathway 03

RNG — landfill

Landfill-collected biogas upgraded to pipeline-quality RNG and injected into the natural gas grid. Significant methane-avoidance credit baked into the CI.

CARB LCFS EPA RFS RIN D3 Tier 2
Typical CI-150 gCO2e/MJ
Cert time120–150 days
Expected $/yr$5–8/MMBtu
30K MMBtu asset~$200K gross
Pathway 04

RNG — dairy / manure

Anaerobic digester on dairy manure. Highest-CI pathway in the LCFS — methane avoidance from manure lagoons is heavily credited under GREET.

CARB LCFS EPA RFS RIN D3 Tier 2/3
Typical CI-300 gCO2e/MJ
Cert time150–270 days
Expected $/yr$8–14/MMBtu
30K MMBtu asset~$340K gross
Pathway 05

Biogas — on-site combustion

Wastewater treatment digester gas burned on-site in a boiler, IC engine, or microturbine. Low capex, no pipeline, but smaller credit per MMBtu than FC + biogas.

CARB LCFS Tier 2
Typical CI-120 gCO2e/MJ
Cert time90–120 days
Expected $/yr$30–80/kW-equiv
500 kW-equiv~$40K gross
Pathway 06

H2 — electrolyzer (clean grid)

PEM or alkaline electrolyzers running on a contracted clean-grid mix. Three-pillar 45V Tier 1 ($3/kg) is the headline number; LCFS layered on top for transport-fuel use.

IRS § 45V CARB LCFS WREGIS REC Tier 3
Typical CI+30 gCO2e/MJ
45V tier$3.00/kg
Cert time180–270 days
1 MW asset~$610K gross

Don't see your pathway?

We're adding two new templates per quarter. Recently added: methane pyrolysis (turquoise H2), biomass gasification, fugitive methane capture from oil & gas wellheads. If your asset is unusual, send specs to carbon@bcalenergy.com and we'll come back within 48 hours with a pathway-fit memo (free; no obligation).

Run your asset through the calculator.

It uses the CI scores in the table above. From the calculator output, onboarding is one click.

Open calculator Start onboarding