Calgary launches hydrogen hub to boost clean energy

P V R Murthy, center, general manager at Oil India Limited, pump station 3, shows a part of a hydrogen plant in Jorhat, India, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Green hydrogen is being touted around the world as a clean energy solution to take the carbon out of high-emitting sectors like transport and industrial manufacturing. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath) (Anupam Nath/AP)

Clean energy is the name of the game in the low-carbon economy and the City of Calgary aims to be a leader in the transition.

To do it, it’s launched the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub (CRH2).

Managed by the Transition Accelerator, the hub seeks investment and job creation, as Calgary moves into being a key player in the emerging clean hydrogen sector.

Playing on existing energy production strengths and Calgary’s location as a Western Canadian transportation hub, the CRH2 aims to capitalize on the projected $700 billion global hydrogen market by 2050.

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Calgary Economic Development says it will aggregate demand for hydrogen, which means the hub will coordinate buyers like airports, transit and industrial users to create a stable market. The idea being making hydrogen more viable and cost-effective, encouraging production and investment.

Initial priorities include airports, fleets, power generation, hydrogen corridors and rail transport.

The goal is $75 million in private investment and more than 100 skilled jobs.

Developed over two years, the CRH2 model follows Edmonton’s hydrogen hub. It aligns with Canada’s hydrogen strategy and Alberta’s hydrogen roadmap, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and global hydrogen supply.

Canada’s hydrogen strategy projects a large-scale economy could support 350,000 jobs and reduce emissions.

That strategy aims to lead hydrogen production and exports, leveraging its infrastructure, resources and expertise.

According to Alberta’s hydrogen roadmap, the province aims to integrate hydrogen into industrial, transportation and energy systems and expand exports.

It focuses on carbon capture and storage for the creation of blue hydrogen, and lays out plans for green hydrogen production as renewable energy grows.

Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas using carbon capture technology to reduce emissions, while green hydrogen is created using renewable electricity to split water molecules, producing no emissions in the process.

The Transition Accelerator is a Canadian non-profit organization that focuses on helping industries, governments and communities move toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

It creates hydrogen hubs, supports investment and guides policy development. It also launched the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub.

CRH2 funding includes $3 million from Alberta Innovates, Calgary Economic Development, the City of Calgary and Prairies Economic Development Canada.

Key partners also include the Transition Accelerator and Wheatland County.

The hub aligns with Calgary’s climate strategy to cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.