OTTAWA,
ON, Aug. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - As the world moves
to clean energy, investing in clean technologies will help ensure
Canada remains a global energy
leader. Ultra-low carbon sources of energy such as hydrogen, wind,
solar, hydro and nuclear power are key to driving down energy costs
for Canadians and to seizing the enormous economic opportunities
that are available in all regions of the country.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, announced a $9.14-million investment for six projects to
support innovation in Canada's
clean hydrogen sector. Of this funding, $2.74 million was allocated through the Energy
Innovation Program, including:
- $1.25 million to the University of British Columbia to develop a pilot
plant of its patented pyrolysis technology for low-cost,
low-emission hydrogen production.
- $900,000 to Enbridge Gas Inc. in
Ontario for the Markham Virtual
Hydrogen Hybrid Demonstration Project, which aims to demonstrate
the use of existing wind and solar assets within Ontario's power grid to produce renewable
hydrogen and reduce power supply intermittency.
- $590,223 to Hydrogen in Motion in
British Columbia to generate clean
hydrogen with low-pressure solid-state storage, distribution and
transport. This project is supported by the Hydrogen Centre of
Excellence, a strategic initiative led by Alberta Innovates.
- $1.09 million to Ayrton Energy in
Alberta to assess the feasibility
of safe, efficient and cost-effective storage and transportation of
hydrogen in conventional tanks, trucks and pipelines at ambient
temperature and pressure. This project is also supported by the
Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.
Funding is also allocated to Clean Fuels Fund projects to
advance knowledge of the impacts of blending hydrogen into our
existing utility networks. The hydrogen blending study represents
an overall investment of up to $6.4
million, including:
- $5 million to Enbridge Gas Inc.
in Ontario to conduct a
System-Wide Hydrogen Blending Study to determine blended hydrogen
gas's feasibility and maximum limits in the Ontario utility's existing network.
- $1.4 million to Trans Québec
& Maritimes Pipeline Inc. in Quebec for a study to assess the technical
feasibility of blending up to 10-percent hydrogen segments of their
existing natural gas transmission system.
This federal government is fostering economic growth and
building Canada's clean economy.
In doing so, we are investing in projects like the ones announced
today to accelerate the production, distribution and use of clean
fuels, including clean hydrogen. These advancements are guided by
Canada's Hydrogen Strategy (2020),
which is positioning Canada as a
global supplier and producer of clean hydrogen on our path to net
zero by 2050.
Quotes
"Canadian businesses have the ambition and drive to provide
clean energy solutions and become the supplier of choice in a
net-zero world. This is especially true when we see the progress
being made throughout the hydrogen value chain and across the
regions to advance Canada's
growing hydrogen sector. Investments like the ones announced
today are a great example of what the hydrogen opportunity can do
for Canadians — helping create jobs, grow the economy and
contribute to a sustainable future."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources
"By working with partners and industry, we can ensure that
Canada remains a global supplier
of choice for clean energy, ensuring a prosperous future for
Canadians from coast to coast to coast. UBC's project to develop a
pilot plant for low-cost, low-emission hydrogen production marks it
as a key player in the clean technology ecosystem in Canada. This federal government is pleased to
support investment in local energy leaders who are carving the path
to a net-zero future."
The Honourable Joyce Murray
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
Quick Facts
- Interest in low-carbon hydrogen in Canada has increased significantly since 2020,
with over 80 low-carbon hydrogen production projects announced,
representing over five million tonnes of hydrogen production
capacity and an economic expression of interest of over
$100 billion in potential investment
in domestic clean energy opportunities and jobs.
- Since 2020, British Columbia,
Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick
have published hydrogen strategies, identifying hydrogen as a
provincial clean energy priority and describing provincial actions
and objectives to realize regional low-carbon hydrogen objectives.
There are now 13 low-carbon hydrogen production facilities in
operation across Canada able to
produce over 3,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year.
- NRCan's Energy Innovation Program advances clean energy
technologies that will help Canada
meet its climate change targets while supporting the transition to
a low-carbon economy. It funds research, development and
demonstration projects and other related scientific
activities.
- Launched in June 2021, the Clean
Fuels Fund aims to invest $1.5
billion to grow the production of clean fuels in
Canada, such as hydrogen,
renewable diesel and natural gas, cellulosic ethanol, synthetic
fuels and sustainable aviation fuel.
- Budget 2024 announced the re-tooling of the Clean Fuels Fund.
The program is expected to re-launch in December 2024.
- Countries around the world are looking to Canada as a clean energy supplier of choice.
The Canada–Germany Hydrogen Alliance, supported by a $300 million investment from Canada that will be matched by a similar
investment from Germany, will
directly support the export of Canadian clean hydrogen, produced in
Atlantic Canada, to support
decarbonization efforts in Germany.
Related Information
- Hydrogen Strategy for Canada
and Progress Report
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Net-zero emissions by 2050
- Budget 2024 – Attracting Investment for a Net-Zero Economy
- Backgrounder: Economic Growth and Productivity
- Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit
- Energy Innovation Program
- Investing in Research, Development and Demonstration Projects
in Canada
- Clean Energy Resources and Projects in Canada
- Clean Fuels Fund
- Clean Fuels – Fuelling the Future
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada