Alberta scientists are very interested in hydrogen as a source of energy transition. On January 28, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) gave a conference on this subject, which drew close to a thousand participants.
“The near future is really tomorrow”, assures the energy consultant Marc Lacrampe, present at the conference. It was with great interest that nearly 1000 engineers and geoscientists, already working in the so-called traditional energy sector, oil and gas, attended the event.
This renewed interest in new energies could lead one to believe that it corresponds to the recent announcement of the Keystone XL decision. However, it is not. “For the past five years, there has been a movement to abandon the use of continued growth in oil and gas production,” puts David Layzell, professor and program manager of the Canadian Initiative in perspective. Energy Systems Analysis Research Fellow (CESAR), University of Calgary.
Also a founder of the Transition Accelerator Foundation, he spoke at the conference on a central topic for the Western Province: How could hydrogen help Alberta lead the transition to a net zero energy system? “A new path to a low carbon future,” he says.
An overhaul of the energy system
The possibilities of energy in transition are very real and more relevant than ever. “It’s not science fiction,” says energy consultant Marc Lacrampe. “Climate skeptics say, even if you are right, that it will take us centuries to adapt. But not at all, in fact, ”he contests.
All these professionals and industry experts are increasingly turning to new energies. An encouragement that highlights the recent decision of President Joe Biden to stop the work of Keystone XL. A strong message that the United States wanted to send, “since it is the first export customer for oil and gas in Alberta.” They want less products with a high carbon footprint from the province, ”says consultant Marc Lacrampe.
In the meantime, “the energy system needs to find a substitute for the model we are already using, we must move forward with the use of electricity which is produced without a carbon footprint but with hydrogen” , suggests academic David Layzell, in order to reduce greenhouse gases. “We looked at large vehicles, heavy trucks powered by hydrogen,” he describes thanks to the project. AZETEC, Alberta zero emissions truck electrification collaboration. One of these prototypes is being tested in Montreal.
“Between Edmonton and Calgary, about 5,000 trucks pass daily, between Montreal and Toronto there are about 10,000 a day, Toronto and Detroit 15,000. There is a great opportunity in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta to create a corridor of hydrogen, between Vancouver and Winnipeg and eventually across Canada, ”says David Layzell.
Today, if so many energy professionals are interested in the conference and the AZETEC project, “it is a case which helps to contribute to the creation of a new energy system, respectful of the climate”, exposes he. “How far can we advance until 2030”? More than a trend, the use of hydrogen is a proven reality in certain provinces, notably in Quebec and Ontario.
If Alberta wishes to embrace in the next 10 years a turning point in the overhaul of its energy system through the use of hydrogen, it would still need to be able to be given the means to do so.
David Layzell hopes to see a significant investment from the province in the next provincial budget. “We have been very active at the provincial and federal levels for funding. “However,” this is not a subject openly put on the agenda in Alberta, “qualifies the consultant, Marc Lacrampe.
Some countries like Germany, England, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia or Australia are investing heavily in this sector. Germany has already invested nearly 13,856,400,000.00 Canadian dollars in the hydrogen economy. “The European Union has already recognized the importance of such an economy. Canada is still lagging behind, ”admits David Layzell.
In the meantime, “the perspective of the federal government is much broader than that of the province in terms of time and strategy”, concludes Marc Lacrampe.
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