A diverse group of more than 25 private and public organizations has joined together in an initiative led by Hydrogen Optimized, Grey County, Bruce County and the City of Owen Sound to advance the creation of a regional Grey-Bruce H₂ hub.

Forty representatives of the organizations met on Sept. 22, 2023 to explore ways to establish Grey-Bruce as a leader in clean H₂ technology, production and use. The participants identified the steps needed for the initiative to succeed, how to overcome barriers, and strategies to attract more H₂ economy players to the area. The group aims to develop a H₂ strategy for the region in 2024.

Potential local end-use applications include fueling municipal vehicle fleets with clean H₂ supplied by Hydrogen Optimized, which develops and manufactures large-scale clean H₂ production systems in Owen Sound.

The creation of regional H₂ hubs is a core part of the federal government’s 2020 H₂ strategy, which seeks to lay the foundation for the H₂ economy. This involves the localized development and expansion of new and existing H₂ supply, infrastructure and applications.

The Grey-Bruce H₂ Hub initiative is led by Hydrogen Optimized, with active support from Grey County, Bruce County and the City of Owen Sound. Robert Stasko, Executive Director of the H₂ Business Council and with extensive involvement in the Canadian H₂ and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) and its affiliates, has played a central role in putting the initiative into motion.

The Sept. 22 meeting, held at Hydrogen Optimized’s offices and chaired by the company’s VP Development, Edward Stuart, was also attended by representatives of the CHFCA, Georgian College, the provincial and federal governments, Enbridge, Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF), Hatch, Atura Power, Carlsun Energy Solutions, Greenfield Global, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Owen Sound District Chamber of Commerce, TransAlta, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, Bruce Power, Nuclear Innovation Institute and Saugeen Shores.

Community leaders participating in the meeting included Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff and Owen Sound District Chamber of Commerce CEO Diane Austin.