Hydrogen Technology
Hydrogen, the planetary system’s most abundant element. One of the two constituent elements of water, H2O is increasingly being recognized as the fuel of the future. We are involved with several technology companies, research projects and organizations in the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. Wasser Resources Inc. is currently working with several hydrogen technology companies to bring them to the market and expand their market share.
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Hydrogen can be produced in a number of ways. The most sustainable way to generate hydrogen is through the electrolysis of water. It is stored in liquid or gaseous form in steel or composite tanks ready for transport.
HYDROGEN STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION
Hydrogen is stored in a safe liquid or gaseous form. Ideally in steel or composite material storage tanks of various shapes and sizes for long periods of time. It is not affected significantly by cold or hot temperatures and thus is suited to all climatic environments.
In that sense hydrogen is an ideal energy storage medium. Unlike lithium ion and other power storage media it does not degrade or loose energy with usage.
Once contained in a safe vessel, hydrogen can be transported over long distances. It is a relatively dense yet light form of energy storage so shipment by flight and by boat is not a significant obstacle. Once delivered, hydrogen fuel cell can be immediately deployed for use to generate power and fuel vehicles.
HYDROGEN UTILIZATION
Hydrogen is used to generate power through the use of fuel cells. There are several designs for fuel cells, and much of this research and development for fuel cell advancement is taking place in university campuses and at hydrogen technology companies across Canada including Vancouver based Ballard Technologies and Mississauga based Hydrogenics.
HYDROGEN APPLICATIONS
Hydrogen-based energy is applicable for stationary power generation and for the transportation sector.
Stored hydrogen can be transported easily and safely wherever required to produce power where needed. In many cases, hydrogen is the ideal replacement for diesel fuel and diesel generators because hydrogen produces no noxious fumes, other pollutants or greenhouses gases (GHG).
HYDROGEN MARKETS
As a young industry, the market potential for hydrogen energy is still in the early stages of exploration and development. Canada is the global centre for hydrogen technology research, development and commercialization. Consequently, Canada is also the place where the potential application for hydrogen technologies is most actively being explored and expanded. The Hydrogen Business Council of Canada was created is to help guide and lead the quest for the development and maximization of all the various applications and market opportunities.
Distribution Centres
Hydrogen is an excellent alternative to the use of electric rechargeable batteries and propane power for distribution centre forklifts. Unlike batteries which need a considerable period of time to charge, hydrogen powered forklifts refuel in minutes. Similarly, hydrogen is more desirable than propane because fuel cells emits no fumes but only breathable oxygen. Hydrogen has already been adopted by several Canadian distribution centres. For these facilities, hydrogen is produced on-site by Next Hydrogen, for immediate use and long term storage.
Mining
The mining sector is definitely a great place to adapt hydrogen power. Most mine sites are remote and require shipments of diesel generators and an ongoing supply of polluting and costly diesel fuel to run the diesel generator sets and diesel powered vehicles of all types, above ground and underground. Hydrogen can be produced local to a mine using renewable power generation through any combination of solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, run-of-river immersed hydroelectric turbines of ocean wave powered turbines. The clean renewable power is used by the process of electrolysis to produce hydrogen, which is stored in appropriate containers. Used by mine vehicles or power generators when the renewable power sources cannot satisfy the mines needs.
Trucking
The Ontario Environment Commissioner in 2018 reported that large truck transport was the exception to the declining Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission patterns in Ontario and are gradually becoming a dominant source of pollutants, due to their heavy reliance on high emission diesel fuels. The opportunity to convert a fraction of the trucking industry to hydrogen would generate significant climate change benefits to the environment.
Trains and Transit
Canadian companies are making huge contributions to the transitioning of trains, buses and street cars across Europe and in China to clean reliable hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Cars
Over the past several years we have seen the gradual success of the electric vehicle market in Canada. Increases in the number of vehicles and specially the growing deployment of EV charging infrastructure, especially in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Hydrogen has some catching up to do since there are very few hydrogen fueling points or vehicles in Canada. In order jurisdictions like Japan and South Korea, there is rapid growth in the application of hydrogen for cars. California, the anchor of the west coast Hydrogen Highway that extends up to BC, a region leading the path to a hydrogen energy future, is currently embarking on a major plan to develop a network of hydrogen fueling stations spanning the state.
Canada continues to contribute to the development of almost all these technologies. The Hydrogen Business Council of Canada is forging a future for the industry for the entire planet.
Articles by Leon Wasser About Hydrogen
Hydrogen for Distribution Centre Forklifts: Inside Logistics Magazine, June 2018
Hydrogen: An Ideal Power Source for Remote Mines; Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal, Sept. 2017
Associations
Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (HFCA)
Canadian Urban Transit Reseach and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)