At World Hydrogen North America 2023 in Houston, Texas, former Alberta, Canada mayor and current chair of the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub, Alanna Hnatiw, delivered a presentation about Alberta's potential as a hydrogen (H₂) hub. According to Hnatiw, Canada has an established pipeline network, leveraging the liquified natural gas (LNG) industry, which positions them as an exporter. She also claimed that Canada is recognized as a global leader in the H₂ fuel cell sector and as a hub for technical expertise.

In the presentation, Hnatiw noted Shell's Polaris CCS project near Edmonton, citing its potential as an asset to the Japanese market. "The low-carbon H₂ would be produced by natural gas feedstock and excellent means to the Japanese market, which is going to be 30 million tons (MMt) of employment by 2050," she said.

Hnatiw went on to describe the main drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Alberta. Oil and gas and transportation are the most significant contributors, at 27% and 24%, respectively. Followed by buildings (13%), heavy industry (11%), agriculture (10%), electricity (8.4%) and waste and others (7.4%).

She focused on oil and gas and transportation due to them being the largest, "The contributions from these two sectors are essentially two sides of the same coin, with representation for the supply and demand side. Together, they account for 51% of Canada's GHG emissions. So given that there is such a significant source of emissions, it is evident that changing how we use the natural resource of fossil fuels should be a top priority."

According to Hnatiw, Canada developed the Pathways to Accelerate Heavy Transport, focusing on new fuel and fuel cell opportunities and residential and commercial heating. They are prioritizing blending into natural gas systems, industrial heat and power to decarbonize the electrical system.

"To establish the conditions under which infrastructure development can be accelerated, it is crucial that H₂ be priced competitively with income or useful options. So, lowering the costs associated with additive production will significantly impact the applications," she said.

Hnatiw ended the presentation by acknowledging Alberta's alleged lead in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). "We have had CCS infrastructure operational since 2015 through two projects: the Shelf-Life project, which is average storage, and the Upper Carpentry line, which is a pipeline to mine. They sequestered 15 MMt of carbon," Hnatiw said.

"The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL) is a 240-pounder pipeline that carries CO₂ captured from refineries and fertilizer plants in the heartland and projects it into central Alberta into mature oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. But carbon and storage have played a very important role in investments. Air Products announced a net-zero H₂ autothermal reforming facility, and Dow is looking at a $10-B investment for net-zero ethylene and derivatives complex."

Story by: Tyler Campbell, Managing Editor, H₂Tech