Heavy-duty transport will be one of the first sectors to see the benefits of emerging hydrogen technology. With hydrogen-diesel dual fuel vehicles and heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles now hitting the streets in the Edmonton region, now is the time to discover how this emission-free fuel technology can power your net-zero future.

This panel gave attendees the opportunity to discuss transportation technology with representatives from the firms that are leading the way in bringing this technology to Alberta’s roads. The practical aspects of hydrogen-fuelled transportation technology dominated the discussion, with questions about refueling times, charging infrastructure, comparative costs, and the impact of hydrogen technology on weight distribution in the trucks.

This grounded approach shows how hydrogen has transitioned from a theoretical technology to something much more concrete. It also shows the importance of the trial projects discussed in other breakouts, which are set to provide the data that transportation professionals need to make informed decisions about their hydrogen future.

Contributors

• Breakout Lead: Eddie Robar (City of Edmonton)
• Jessica Verhagen (Hydra Energy)
• Corey Riley, Jorg Wimbert (Nikola)
• Cory Shumaker (Hyzon Motors)
• Chad Sadowy (New Flyer)

Alberta needs to decarbonize its heating systems, and hydrogen has the potential to be a powerful tool for reaching net-zero emissions. This breakout went into details on the blending projects leading the way towards an expanded role for hydrogen in the building heating space, and asked attendees what more needs to be done to advance hydrogen demand.

The two chief issues facing building head demand are, understandably, cost and effectiveness. Attendees wanted more details about the levelized cost of heating with hydrogen, but even more importantly they want to know that hydrogen is safe and effective at heating, that hydrogen blending is compatible with current infrastructure, and that it contributes to real reductions in greenhouse emissions. More effort on understanding and communicating these facts

Contributors

• Breakout lead: Greg Caldwell (ATCO)
  

The Alberta Motor Transport Association’s Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Demonstration Program will give transportation professionals the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the newest technology in hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transportation. This event provided a preview of the program before its official announcement on February 10, 2023, including details and sneek-peeks of the vehicles and providers that will be part of the demonstrations.

The first of its kind in Canada, this two-year program will collect and evaluate data concerning the performance of hydrogen-fueled vehicles on Alberta roads, payloads, and weather conditions. It will also address challenges around fuel cell reliability, infrastructure, and vehicle cost and maintenance. For more details on the Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Demonstration Program, visit the FAQ at AMTA.ca.

Contributors

Breakout Lead: Terri Johnson (AMTA)

Download Hydrogen Roadmap – Executive Summary

Download Hydrogen Roadmap – Full Report

One of the biggest hurdles to building the prosperous, zero-emission world of tomorrow is working with yesterday’s infrastructure and policies. This breakout session looked into the barriers and challenges to advancing hydrogen projects, offering suggestions on how we can overcome them in time.

Discussion on this panel was robust and varied, showcasing the wealth of hydrogen expertise at the Summit. The conversation roamed from hydrogen production—including the role of hydrogen produced from electrolysis and from renewable fuels in Alberta’s hydrogen strategy—to distribution, questioning the balance of pipelines, rail transport, and energy carriers such as ammonia in the future hydrogen ecosystem. Concerns arose about the slow speed of policy compared to the need for rapid, systemic transformation, noting that the responsible path forward is one that emphasizes caution and a safety-first mindset.

Incentives, subsidies, and carbon pricing all had a place in the converation, and attendees shared that they’ve found government—and especially municipal government—to be supportive of a hydrogen economy. There is growing knowledge of the opportunity and alignment of interests between government, communities, and industry, all of which bodes well for navigating these challenges.

Contributors

Breakout Lead: Mark Plamondon (Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association)

It’s easier to reach a destination when there are signposts pointing the way. Edmonton Global’s 5,000 Vehicle Challenge is meant to provide a vision for accelerating hydrogen vehicle adoption in the region, along with the targets we’ll need to aim for along the way. 

While details of the 5,000 Vehicle Challenge are still being finalized, this panel was a chance to provide input and understand the thinking behind the ambitious figure. That target is based on a number of factors, balancing estimates of adoption rates and fleet sizes with the need to create and scale up hydrogen infrastructure, and the need to reach a critical mass to make it economically sustainable.

Beyond the fuelling infrastructure and the HD transportation companies and fleets needed to reach the goal, the Challenge is also looking at needs outside of the hydrogen sector. Technicians, first responders, and other occupations will need to be trained on safe handling of hydrogen vehicles, and monitoring will be needed to ensure the vehicles work for end users and for the environment.

Complex as that all is, a target is a major first step, and the Summit audience appears up for the challenge.

Contributors

• Breakout Lead: Brent Lakeman (Edmonton Global)
• Trevor Van Egmond, Terri Johnson (AMTA)
• David Van Den Assem (Alberta Innovates)
• Jessica Verhagen (Hydra Energy)
• Corey Riley, Jorg Wimbert (Nikola)
• Cory Shumaker (Hyzon Motors)
• Chad Sadowy (New Flyer)

Change comes through advocacy and effort. Like any emerging technology, hydrogen needs champions to push for advancing it in our businesses, networks, and communities. Our final breakout session looked at ways to establish hydrogen as a credible, capable, and compelling tool for building a prosperous future in a post-emission world.

Several audience members commented that the most basic issue is lack of awareness overall. The news focuses on EVs, and rarely discusses other non-emitting technologies, meaning that people outside of the hydrogen industry are simply unaware of the role hydrogen could play in the transportation landscape. When hydrogen is brought up, safety concerns are often at the forefront—even though older technologies like diesel engines have their own safety concerns that are rarely foregrounded in the same way.

Outside models were suggested as ways to manage both safety and awareness. An audience member noted California’s strong safety track record and strict safety regulations as examples of ways to reassure the public, and the panel agreed that concrete actions and examples were more useful than simply insisting that hydrogen is safe.

Awareness, trust, and transparency were key themes. As more projects take place and more data is collected, there will be more opportunities to show the vital role hydrogen can play in a net-zero future.

Contributors

• Breakout Lead: Chris McLeod (Edmonton Global)
• Grace Meikle (Emissions Reduction Alberta)
• Kelsey Brooks (Natural Resources Canada)