The global hydrogen market is expected to reach $ 2.5 trillion by 2050

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As the world moves towards a low-carbon future, hydrogen is imminent — because when it is burned to release energy, it does not produce greenhouse gases.

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David Layzell, Energy Systems Architect and Research Director, Energy Systems Architect and Research Director at The Transition Accelerator, a Canadian organization that is driving the path for Canada to reach Net Zero by 2050, said that hydrogen such as electricity, natural gas and gasoline is actually States to be an energy carrier.

According to Razel, hydrogen is produced in one place and transported by various means to where it is needed. He states that the viable hydrogen industry in Alberta and Canada is well-established and most likely to succeed in combination with electricity that can be generated from sources such as solar, wind and hydro. ..

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Small passenger electric vehicles already have rechargeable batteries, according to Razel, but hydrogen fuel cells are used to power large transport vehicles such as transport trucks, buses, trains, ships, and planes. An excellent zero emission solution.

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“It’s hard to see someone with enough battery,” he points out.

Another good use of hydrogen is to heat large remote facilities because it costs money to build a power grid sufficient to handle the winter heating load.

According to Razel, hydrogen currently lacks the transportation infrastructure of other energy carriers, such as power grids and natural gas pipelines, but Canada already produces about 8,000-9,000 tons of hydrogen daily. , Alberta occupies two-thirds.

Hydrogen in Alberta is currently used as an industrial raw material, including combining it with nitrogen to produce ammonia as a fertilizer.

“We are basically using hydrogen [now] Changes the chemistry of the material. The hydrogen economy is to expand the use of hydrogen and become an energy carrier or fuel in itself.

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“So, to generate it with fuel cells, to warm the house, or to heat the water, we usually use it where we use gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and natural gas. We use it. This is the all-new energy system we are building here, “says Razel. “And you can probably do this only once every 80 to 100 years.”

The Hydrogen HUB Alliance in the Edmonton region is working on a kickstart of the hydrogen economy that could be a model for other people in Canada.

HUB Chair and Mayor of Sturgeon Country, Alanna Hnatiw, said the region is one of the world’s cheapest places to produce low-carbon hydrogen, with global hydrogen markets up to $ 2.5 trillion by 2050. It states that it is expected to be worth it.

“We already have the talented workers, expertise and pipeline to succeed,” says Hnatiw. “It’s good news for the economy, climate and job creation.”

Many projects have already been announced, further announced at the first Canadian Hydrogen Conference recently held in Edmonton.

Hnatiw says the goal is to attract, create and pivot companies that can produce, move and use products that produce, move and use hydrogen, such as trucks, fuel cells, buses, power generation and pipeline technologies. community. “

This story was created by ContentWorks, Postmedia’s commercial content division.