The hydrogen market in Canada represents a growing opportunity for the clean energy transition. According to Natural Resources Canada, hydrogen made through Canada’s clean and abundant resources and diverse pathways has the potential to deliver up to 30 per cent of our end-use energy by 2050.
GHD, a global engineering firm with locations across Canada, has released a new report that addresses the hydrogen blending market and the advancements happening now that support it. The report, H2 Now, Preparing the market, public and infrastructure for hydrogen blending, discusses market readiness, the communities and stakeholders role and the considerations when implementing hydrogen into existing pipeline infrastructure.
The report provides guidance on how to mitigate risks and make this emerging technology one that has a long-lasting, positive impact on the planet.
“The network of existing natural gas pipelines in North America spans over 5.5 million kilometers. This vast, interconnected network already links gas producers, treatment facilities, storage units, and end users,” Rob Dysiewicz, Future Energy Global Innovation Leader for GHD, and co-author of the report’s first chapter. “Leveraging this infrastructure is going to allow power plants, industries, businesses, and communities to embark on a real transition toward a more sustainable energy mix.”
In the first of the three chapters of the report, GHD discusses the advancements in technologies, society and the economy that signal the readiness for widespread commercialization of the hydrogen industry.
A prime example in this chapter highlights GHD’s PG&E Hydrogen to Infinity project in Northern California. The urgency to invest in mature hydrogen projects today is greater than ever, as shown by the rebound of carbon emissions to above pre-COVID levels and ongoing supply chain issues. Yet the United States still needs greater investment to be on track for net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The hydrogen sector has advanced considerable over the past several years, and we are seeing its progress in action,” said Jim Volk, North America Future Fuels Lead for GHD and co-author of the report’s first chapter. “All you have to do is look at the increasing financial support coming from governments, private investors and venture capitalists, as well as the large-scale deployment of hydrogen technologies, to see that the market’s confidence in hydrogen’s potential is real.”
Two more chapters will be released in the weeks ahead, focusing on community and stakeholder readiness, and pipeline infrastructure readiness.
The first chapter can be accessed here: H2 now – CHAPTER 1
Featured image credits: GHD