Hydrogen key to decarbonizing gas system and advancing
provincial climate change goals
SURREY,
BC, July 4, 2022 /CNW/ - The move towards more
low carbon gases in B.C. continues as a new pilot project in
Port Moody will produce
zero-carbon hydrogen. A partnership between FortisBC Energy Inc.
(FortisBC), Suncor Energy (Suncor) and Hazer Group Limited (Hazer)
will bring a groundbreaking new technology to the province to
produce clean burning hydrogen from natural gas.
Using an innovative methane pyrolysis technology for the first
time in North America, the
project, located at Suncor's Burrard Terminal site, would produce
hydrogen while storing the carbon byproduct as solid synthetic
graphite that can be sold on the open market for manufacturing or
industrial use. If the pilot continues as a full commercial build
out, the project would be expected to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of
hydrogen per year. This equates to roughly 300,000 gigajoules of
clean-burning gas energy that can replace the equivalent annual
natural gas usage of approximately 3,300
B.C. households.
"FortisBC is transforming BC's energy future. While we are in
the early stages of an exciting energy transformation with this
hydrogen project, innovative partnerships like this will help
accelerate that change. Renewable and low carbon gases, like
hydrogen, are instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
effectively and affordably while ensuring we have a resilient and
diversified energy system for British Columbians," said
Roger Dall'Antonia, president and
CEO of FortisBC.
Hydrogen is a unique gas energy as it produces no carbon dioxide
when burned. It can be produced in a number of ways, including
through electrolysis (separating hydrogen from water using
electricity) or through separating it from natural gas. Hydrogen
generated from natural gas with the carbon byproduct being captured
as solid carbon is referred to as "turquoise" hydrogen and has far
lower and more easily managed lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
associated with it.
"Innovative technologies such as the Hazer Process offer
enormous potential to create new economic opportunities while
supporting the de-carbonization objectives of FortisBC and the
province. We are delighted to work with FortisBC, Suncor and the
government of B.C. on this innovative project which will be a
world-leading example of the application of methane pyrolysis,"
said Geoff Ward, CEO and managing
director of Hazer.
The project is being funded directly from the partner companies
and by the provincial government's CleanBC Industry Fund. The Fund
supports projects that can advance innovative solutions for
industry greenhouse gas emissions, like renewable and low carbon
gases. The provincial government has placed clear emphasis on the
importance of hydrogen in the province, releasing the provincial
hydrogen strategy in 2021 and establishing the B.C. Hydrogen Office
to assist the rapid advancement of hydrogen projects.
"Hydrogen is critical to our transition to a cleaner, low-carbon
energy system. We are supporting innovation like the Hazer Process
with B.C. Hydrogen Strategy and CleanBC," said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low
Carbon Innovation. "The Hazer Process is helping us achieve
our climate goals while supporting good-paying jobs for British
Columbians".
The addition of hydrogen to FortisBC's renewable and low carbon
gas supply is critical to the company's ongoing efforts to
decarbonize the gas system. Ongoing research is being conducted,
both through this project and in conjunction with the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, on how to
blend hydrogen into the existing gas infrastructure. A recent study
commissioned by the provincial government, FortisBC and the BC
Bioenergy Network found that the potential for hydrogen production
in the province could exceed 200 petajoules by 2050 – roughly
enough gas to completely replace current natural gas volumes.
"Hydrogen has the potential be a significant part of the future
energy mix and is a key part of Suncor's strategy to be a net zero
GHG emissions company by 2050," said Kris
Smith, executive vice president Downstream, Suncor. "We
appreciate the B.C. government's support for the development work
on this project. And we look forward to continuing to work together
on this project that, if sanctioned, will bring low carbon
intensity hydrogen supply to the Greater
Vancouver Area."
The first phase of the project is now underway including
front-end engineering, design studies and permitting applications.
By the end of 2023, a prototype version of the Hazer hydrogen
reactor is expected to be constructed onsite at the Burrard
location for testing.
ABOUT FORTISBC ENERGY
INC.
FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on
providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas,
Renewable Natural Gas and propane. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs
more than 2,000 British Columbians and serves approximately
1,054,097 customers across British
Columbia. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates
approximately 50,182 kilometres of natural gas transmission and
distribution pipelines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of
Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and
gas utility industry. FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name
and logo under license from Fortis Inc. For further information on
FortisBC, visit www.fortisbc.com. For further information on Fortis
Inc., visit www.fortisinc.com.
ABOUT SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
Suncor Energy is Canada's
leading integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil
sands development and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum
refining in Canada and the U.S.,
and the company's Petro-Canada retail and wholesale distribution
networks including Canada's
Electric Highway, a coast-to-coast network of fast-charging EV
stations. Suncor is developing petroleum resources while advancing
the transition to a low-emissions future through investment in
power, renewable fuels and hydrogen. Suncor also conducts energy
trading activities focused principally on the marketing and trading
of crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products and power.
Suncor has been recognized for its performance and transparent
reporting on the Dow Jones Sustainability index, FTSE4Good and CDP.
Suncor is also listed on the UN Global Compact 100 stock index.
Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the TSX and
NYSE.
ABOUT HAZER GROUP
LIMITED
Hazer Group Limited ("Hazer" or "the Company") is an
ASX-listed technology development company undertaking the
commercialisation of the Hazer Process, a low-emission hydrogen and
graphite production process. The Hazer Process enables the
effective conversion of natural gas and similar methane feedstocks,
into hydrogen and high-quality graphite, using iron ore as a
process catalyst.
SOURCE FortisBC Energy Inc.