County continues hydrogen industry discussion

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub presented their findings from a recent study to Wheatland County council, talking about long-term hydrogen viability. 

The county is among several partners collaborating on a new low-carbon hydrogen energy hub, which opened in Calgary in March. 

“When we talk about hydrogen, you often hear a lot about the future demand, the future opportunity, the future potential for hydrogen … one thing we do know, one common thread that we can take away is that electricity will dominate our future energy mix,” said Zachary Cunningham, Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub lead. “Electricity can be predicted to have about two to three times the contribution to the energy system it has today … electricity is growing, but there is a gap. Electricity cannot meet all of our energy system needs in the future.”

He explained the exact size of the gap is not precisely definable; however, it will be occupied by more electricity, biofuels, a role for hydrogen, and fossil fuels with carbon capture and removals. 

Potential utilizations of hydrogen also include heating, blending into natural gas systems, and fuel.

“Hydrogen has a role where there are no other compelling alternatives where electrification can’t meet it. We think long-term long-distance trucking, cold weather, it just does not work right now,” said Cunningham. “When we think about a future energy system … we see that it is an integrated energy system. We see that electricity has a very big role. We see hydrogen has a large role and we see fossil fuels having a large role in both producing hydrogen, producing electricity directly with carbon capture; we see hydrogen producing electricity; and we see a number of different sources of electricity production.”

The county is poised to maintain a unique advantage in the hydrogen ecosystem, largely in part due to its proximity to Calgary, and its potential for attractive industrial space.

Cunningham added hydrogen infrastructure and use will not be a silver bullet, fix-all; however, it will have a significant impact towards altering the power and fuel landscape. 

Though challenges have been observed in getting high profile hydrogen startups off the ground such as several high profile bankruptcies, those assets were purchased by surviving organizations. Cunningham presented that the challenge is likely a startup issue, as opposed to that of long-term sustainability.

“The hydrogen story is certainly not gone, it is just going through a slow period today and we need to recognize that, but in the future, hydrogen is going to play a more impactful role than it does today,” said Cunningham.

Resulting from a study of potential utilization of hydrogen resources within the county, Cunningham said he believes in a long-term potential use for 7.4 tonnes of hydrogen per day, made up largely by heavy duty fleets.

Sale and transport to Calgary of hydrogen is estimated through the study findings to approach 136.7 tonnes per day.

Based on the study, it was recommended that the county focus on leveraging its industrial base and attracting further local growth to the hydrogen sector. 

During the council meeting, the report was accepted as information, and no immediate policy discussions were held at the time.