Alberta commits C$57mn to new hydrogen technologies

The government of Alberta said April 23 it would invest C$57mn from its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) programme to help develop 28 new hydrogen technologies targeting reduced emissions.

“We are funding new, innovative technologies that will ultimately help hydrogen power Alberta’s industries, vehicles, homes and economy in the years ahead,” said Rebecca Schulz, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We are reducing emissions through technologies, not taxes, and creating jobs at the same time.”

Using TIER funds – which come from carbon levies assessed to the province’s major greenhouse gas emitters – Alberta will fund a wide range of projects. The list includes:

• C$7mn to help Linde Canada install hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan;
• C$7mn to NuVista Energy, which is demonstrating a technology that converts natural gas feedstock into low-carbon hydrogen and solid carbon, and;
• C$1.9mn to help the Pipeline Research Council test materials for retrofitting existing natural gas pipelines to carry hydrogen.

The cities of Calgary and Edmonton and Strathcona County will also receive funding to help develop hydrogen vehicle fueling infrastructure and to provide hydrogen-fueled heat and power systems.

The 28 successful projects are the result of Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge, alongside a parallel funding competition from Alberta Innovates’ Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.