UBC clean hydrogen technology deployed to Alberta in a $7 million collaboration
New hydrogen technology developed at UBC could soon be providing clean energy in Alberta, thanks to a $7 million project between UBC, the government of Alberta and Alberta utility company ATCO.
The technology developed by the UBC researchers—methane thermal cracking—can produce up to 200 kilograms of hydrogen a day using natural gas, without using water and reducing or eliminating greenhouse gases. The team will test their system at a facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, run by ATCO, Alberta’s largest natural gas distributor.
This project could help lower the cost of hydrogen production to under $2 per kilogram—in line with goals set by the US Department of Energy to support hydrogen adoption.
“UBC is a global leader in the development of integrated hydrogen energy systems. It’s very exciting to apply this innovation beyond our provincial borders, effectively extending UBC’s ‘campus as a living lab’ approach, in western Canada and potentially beyond,” says project lead Dr. Walter Mérida, a professor of mechanical engineering at UBC’s faculty of applied science.
Doug Schweitzer, Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, says “Technology and innovation are key to global economic recovery and global interest and investment in hydrogen is growing. This project will create jobs and help advance Alberta’s role as a responsible producer and supplier of clean hydrogen.”
Methane Thermal Cracking
Dr. Omar Herrera, project co-lead and senior program manager at MéridaLabs, notes that most hydrogen is still currently produced using steam methane reforming (SMR).
“SMR still emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide and uses large quantities of water and energy,” says Dr. Herrera. “Water electrolysis is another method, but it is costly and can emit even more greenhouse gases than SMR if the electricity used is from non-renewable sources.
In contrast, our thermal methane cracking method can produce zero emissions—its only byproduct is carbon black.”
Dr. Amir Sharafian, prototype development co-lead, says the Alberta project may end up serving new markets for carbon black. “Carbon black is valuable for manufacturing tires, battery electrodes, and other industrial processes. Globally this market is projected to reach $23 billion by 2026.”
Collaborating through innovation
The project, funded by a $4.98 million grant from Alberta Innovates (which promotes innovation in the province) and industry contributions, can serve as a model for stronger inter-provincial collaborations, says Dr. Mérida, who also leads MéridaLabs.
“After we have successfully piloted this technology, we hope to apply it to other locations, possibly in B.C. as well as other provinces and regions,” said Dr. Mérida. “Hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel with many uses, and Canada is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the development of hydrogen technologies and business models to power a low-carbon economy.”
