In Canada, the provincial administration of Alberta is committing substantial funds to enhance the region’s economy related to hydrogen, lower emissions, and also create new employment opportunities.
The CA$57 million, equivalent to $41.68 million valued at $280 million in investment, has been made possible through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), with the entire funding allocated to 28 initiatives.
Specifically, the innovation funding announced by the province’s government will be allocated to twenty-eight projects designed to advance Alberta’s hydrogen economy.
Notably, 20 early-stage projects through the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence – Competition 2 will receive CA$22.5 million, or $16.4 million, from Alberta Innovates for collaborating with Natural Resources Canada.
An additional CA$34.5 million, or $25.2 million, will be committed by ERA. This funding will come from Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction, for 8 late-stage initiatives via its Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge.
It is significant to mention that the funding for the hydrogen economy projects attracted considerable interest, receiving over 90 applications. All proposals underwent a competitive evaluation process. Experts from various domains such as engineering, business development, science, commercialization, finance, and greenhouse gas quantification, among others, conducted rigorous and transparent assessments to ascertain the feasibility of the projects.
From this process, 28 candidates were selected, and these successful applications went on to secure funding.
Importantly, recipients of funding through Alberta Innovates projects have a 24-month period to complete their work, while those involved in ERA-funded projects are allotted 36 months to finalize their initiatives.
The selected projects will encompass various components essential for supporting and sustaining the hydrogen economy. These include initiatives related to hydrogen production, transportation, storage, as well as distribution and utilization of hydrogen.
To be more specific, among the projects receiving funding in Alberta will be those that:
• Develop robust pipeline infrastructures to safely distribute hydrogen.
• Construct hydrogen-powered furnaces in addition to water heaters.
• Advance retrofit kits for diesel engines.
• Provide heating and power to the municipal recreational facility.
Interestingly, a network of hydrogen refueling stations has also been announced for Alberta.
In addition to the $57 million allocated for hydrogen economy projects, it has been announced that Air Products, a US-based industrial gas producer, will establish a network of hydrogen refueling stations throughout Alberta, which will be equipped for heavy-duty vehicle refueling as well as light-duty fuel cell trucks and cars.
