Canada

This study investigates hydrogen (H2) as a supplementary fuel in heavy-duty diesel engines using pre-manifold injection. A H2-diesel dual-fuel (H2DF) system was implemented on a commercial class-8 heavy-duty diesel truck without modifying the original diesel injection system and engine control unit (ECU). Tests were conducted on a chassis dynamometer at engine speeds between 1000 and 1400 rpm with driver-demanded torques from 10 to 75%. The hydrogen energy fraction (HEF) was strategically controlled in the range between 10 and 30%. Overall CO2 reduction (comparable to the HEF level) was achieved with similar brake-specific energy consumption (BSEC) at all loads and speeds. To maintain the same shaft torque the driver-demanded torque was reduced in H2DF operation which resulted in a lower boost pressure. At higher loads engine-out BSNOx slightly decreased while BSCO and black carbon (BC) increased significantly due to lower oxygen concentration resulting from the lower boost pressure. At lower loads engine-out BSCO and BSBC decreased moderately while NO2/NO ratio increased substantially in H2DF operation. Deliberate air path and diesel injection control are expected to enable higher HEF and GHG reductions.

Hydrogen is a potential source of imminent clean energy in the future with its transportation playing a crucial role in allowing large-scale deployment. The challenge lies in selecting an effective sustainable and scalable transportation alternative. This study develops a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework based on the intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (IF-AHP) to evaluate land-based hydrogen transportation alternatives across Canada. The framework includes uncertainty and decision-maker hesitation through the application of triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs). Seven factors their subsequent thirty-three subfactors and three alternatives to hydrogen transportation were identified through a literature review. Pairwise comparison was aggregated among factors subfactors and alternatives from three decision makers using an intuitionistic fuzzy weighted average and priority weights were computed using entropy-based weight. The results show that safety and economic efficiency emerged as the most influential factors in the evaluation of hydrogen transportation alternatives followed by environmental impact security and social impact and public health in ascending order. Among the alternatives tube truck transport obtained the highest overall weight (0.3551) followed by pipelines (0.3272) and rail lines (0.3251). The findings suggest that the tube ruck is currently the most feasible transport option for land-based hydrogen distribution that aims to provide a transition of Canada’s energy mix.

The integration of renewable resources with advanced storage technologies is critical for sustainable energy systems. In this paper a planning framework for an energy hub incorporating hydrogen and renewable energy systems is developed with the objective of minimizing operational costs while participating in flexible ramping product (FRP) markets. The energy hub is designed to utilize a hybrid storage system comprising multi-type battery energy storage (BESS) accounting for diverse chemistries and degradation behaviors and hydrogen storage (HS) to meet concurrent electric and hydrogen demands. To address uncertainties in renewable generation and market prices a stochastic optimization model is developed to determine the optimal investment capacities while optimizing operational decisions under uncertainty using scenario-based stochastic programming. Financial risks associated with price and renewable variability are mitigated through the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) metric. Case studies demonstrate that hybrid storage systems including both BESS and HS can reduce total costs by 23.62% compared to single-storage configurations that rely solely on BESS. Based on the results BESS participates more in providing flexible ramp-up services while HS plays a major role in providing flexible ramp-down services. The results emphasize the critical role of co-optimized hydrogen and multi-type BESS in enhancing grid flexibility and economic viability.

Natural hydrogen or "white hydrogen" has recently garnered attention as a viable and cost-effective energy resource due to its low-carbon footprint and high energy density positioning it as a key contributor to the transition towards a sustainable low-carbon energy system. This study represents Alberta’s first systematic effort to evaluate natural hydrogen potential in the province using publicly available geological geospatial and gas composition datasets. By mapping hydrogen occurrences against key geological features in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) we identify regions with strong geological potential for natural hydrogen generation migration and accumulation while addressing data uncertainties. Within the WCSB formations like the Montney Cardium Bearpaw Manville Belly River McMurray and Lea Park are identified as zones likely for hydrogen generation by prominent mechanisms including hydrocarbon decomposition water-rock reactions with iron-rich sediments and organic pyrolysis. Formation proximity to the underlying Canadian Shield may also suggest potential for basement-derived hydrogen migration via deep-seated faults and shear zones. Salt deposits (Elk Point Group - Prairie evaporites Cold Lake and Lotsberg) and deep shales (e.g. Kaskapau Lea Park Wapiabi) provide effective cap rock potential while reservoirs like porous sandstone (e.g. Dunvegan Spirit River Cardium) and fractured carbonate (e.g. Keg River) formations offer favorable accumulation conditions. Hydrogen occurrences in relation to geological features identify Southern Eastern and West-Central plains as prominent natural Hydrogen generation and accumulation areas. Alberta’s established energy infrastructure as well as subsurface expertise positions it as a potential leader in natural hydrogen exploration. As Alberta’s first systematic investigation this study provides a preliminary assessment of natural hydrogen potential and outlines recommended next steps to guide future exploration and research. Targeted research on specific generation and accumulation mechanisms and source identification through isotopic and geochemical fingerprinting will be crucial for exploration de-risking and viability assessment in support of net-zero emission initiatives.

This paper compares national hydrogen (H2) infrastructure plans in Canada the United States (the USA) Singapore and Sri Lanka four countries with varying geographic and economic outlooks but shared targets for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It examines how each country approaches hydrogen production pipeline infrastructure policy incentives and international collaboration. Canada focuses on large-scale hydrogen production utilizing natural resources and retrofitted natural gas pipelines supplemented by carbon capture technology. The USA promotes regional hydrogen hubs with federal investment and intersectoral collaboration. Singapore suggests an innovation-based import-dominant strategy featuring hydrogen-compatible infrastructure in a land-constrained region. Sri Lanka maintains an import-facilitated pilot-scale model facilitated by donor funding and foreign collaboration. This study identifies common challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement leakages and infrastructure scalability as well as fundamental differences based on local conditions. Based on these findings strategic frameworks are proposed including scalability adaptability partnership policy architecture digitalization and equity. The findings highlight the importance of localized hydrogen solutions supported by strong international cooperation and international partnerships.

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in salt caverns is emerging as a promising solution for the transition to a sustainable energy future. However a thorough understanding of hydrogen flow mechanisms through salt rock is essential to ensure safe and efficient storage operations. In this study we conducted hydrogen flow experiments in salt rocks using the pressure pulse decay (PPD) method covering a range of hydrogen pore pressures from 0.4 MPa to 7.5 MPa within the slip and transitional flow regimes (Knudsen numbers between 0.04 and 1.5). The Knudsen numbers were determined by measuring the pore size distribution (PSD) of the salt rock samples and assigning an average pore size to each sample based on the measured PSD. Our results indicate that the intrinsic permeability of the tested salt rock samples ranges from 5 × 10− 21 m2 to 1.0 × 10− 20 m2 . However a significant enhancement in apparent permeability up to 10 times the intrinsic permeability was observed particularly at lower pressures. This permeability enhancement is attributed to the nanoscale pore structure of salt rocks where the mean free path of hydrogen becomes comparable to the pore sizes leading to a shift from slip flow to the transitional flow regime. The results further reveal that the first-order slip model underestimates the apparent permeability in the transitional flow regime despite its satisfactory accuracy in the slip region. Moreover the higher-order slip model demonstrates acceptable accuracy across both the slip and transitional flow regimes.

With the transition to a fully renewable energy grid arises the need for a green source of stability and baseload support which classical renewable generation such as wind and solar cannot offer due to their uncertain and highly-variable generation. In this paper we study whether green hydrogen can close this gap as a source of supplemental generation and storage. We design a two-stage mixed-integer stochastic optimization model that accounts for uncertainties in renewable generation. Our model considers the investment in renewable plants and hydrogen storage as well as the operational decisions for running the hydrogen storage systems. For the data considered we observe that a fully renewable network driven by green hydrogen has a greater potential to succeed when wind generation is high. In fact the main investment priorities revealed by the model are in wind generation and in liquid hydrogen storage. This long-term storage is more valuable for taking full advantage of hydrogen than shorter-term intraday hydrogen gas storage. In addition we note that the main driver for the potential and profitability of green hydrogen lies in the electricity demand and prices as opposed to those for gas. Our model and the investment solutions proposed are robust with respect to changes in the investment costs. All in all our results show that there is potential for green hydrogen as a source of baseload support in the transition to a fully renewable-powered energy grid.

As hydrogen fuel cell vehicles gain momentum as crucial zero-emission transportation solutions the urgency to address hydrogen permeability through the polymer liner becomes paramount for ensuring the safety efficiency and longevity of Type IV hydrogen storage tanks. This paper synthesizes existing research findings analyzes the influence of different materials and structures on gas permeability elucidates the dissolution and diffusion mechanisms of hydrogen in plastic liners and discusses their engineering applications. We focus on measurement methods influencing factors and improvement strategies for liner gas permeability. Additionally we explore the prospects of Type IV hydrogen storage tanks in fields such as automotive aerospace and energy storage industries. Through this comprehensive review of liner gas permeability critical insights are provided to guide the development of efficient and safe hydrogen storage and transportation systems. These insights are vital for advancing the widespread application of hydrogen energy technology and fostering sustainable energy development significantly contributing to efforts aimed at enhancing the performance and safety of Type IV hydrogen storage tanks.

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key energy vector for achieving deep decarbonization across urban and industrial sectors. Supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it is essential to understand the multi-sectoral role of the hydrogen value chain spanning production storage and end-use applications with particular emphasis on smart city systems and industrial processes. Green hydrogen production technologies including alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are evaluated in terms of efficiency scalability and integration potential. Storage pathways are examined across physical storage (compressed gas cryo-compressed and liquid hydrogen) material-based storage (solid-state absorption in metal hydrides and chemical carriers such as LOHCs and ammonia) and geological storage (salt caverns depleted gas reservoirs and deep saline aquifers) highlighting their suitability for urban and industrial contexts. In the smart city domain hydrogen is analyzed as an enabler of zero-emission transportation low-carbon residential and commercial heating and renewable-integrated smart grids with long-duration storage capabilities. System-level studies demonstrate that coordinated integration of these applications can deliver higher overall energy efficiency deeper reductions in life-cycle GHG emissions and improved resilience of urban energy systems compared with sector-specific approaches. Policy frameworks safety standards and digitalization strategies are reviewed to illustrate how hydrogen infrastructure can be embedded into interconnected urban energy systems. Furthermore industrial applications focus on hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize energy-intensive processes and enable sector coupling between electricity heat and manufacturing. The environmental implications of hydrogen deployment are also considered including resource efficiency life-cycle emissions and ecosystem impacts. In contrast to reviews addressing isolated aspects of hydrogen technologies this study synthesizes technological infrastructural and policy dimensions integrating insights from over 400 studies to highlight the multifaceted role of hydrogen in sustainable urban development and industrial decarbonization and the added benefits achievable through coordinated cross-sector deployment strategies.

The transportation industry significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Federal and provincial governments have implemented strategies to decrease dependence on gasoline and diesel fuels. This encompasses promoting the adoption of electric cars (EVs) and biofuel alternatives investing in renewable energy sources and enhancing public transit systems. There is a growing focus on enhancing infrastructure to facilitate active transportation modes like cycling and walking which provide the combined advantages of decreasing emissions and advancing public health. In this paper we propose a System Dynamics simulation model for evaluating factors for the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles such as EVs biofuel vehicles bus bikes and hydrogen vehicles. Five factors— namely customer awareness government initiatives cost of vehicles cost of fuels and infrastructure developments—to increase the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles are studied. Two scenarios are modeled: A baseline scenario that follows the existing trends in transportation (namely the use of gasoline vehicles) Scenario 1 which prioritizes greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuel-powered vehicles and Scenario 2 which prioritizes hydrogen fuel-based vehicles and improves biking culture. The simulation findings show that all scenarios achieve reductions in GHG emissions compared to the baseline with Scenario 2 showing the lowest emissions. The proposed work is useful for transport decision makers and municipal administrators in devising policies for reducing overall GHG emissions and this also aligns with Canada’s net zero goals.