Hydrogen
What is Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless gas and the most abundant element in the universe. It has the potential to play a key role in our transition to a low-carbon economy. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen only produces water and heat as byproducts, making it a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Hydrogen can be used across transportation, industry and energy storage sectors, making it a key player in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With its abundant natural resources, Canada is well-positioned to become a leader in clean hydrogen production.
How is Hydrogen produced?
Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): Canada currently produces hydrogen mainly via SMR, using natural gas and high-temperature steam. However, producing it this way also creates carbon dioxide—unless paired with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Partial Oxidation: Partial oxidation is a process where a hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, reacts with a limited amount of oxygen to produce hydrogen. Instead of complete combustion, the fuel is partially oxidized, generating hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and heat. Like SMR, the environmental impact of this method depends on whether it is paired with an emission reduction technology such as CCS.
Electrolysis: This process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. The environmental impact depends on how clean the electricity we used to produce it is (e.g. hydro, wind or solar).
How is hydrogen used to reduce emissions
Transportation: Hydrogen is increasingly being explored within Canada’s transportation energy sector. Automakers are working hard to develop and deploy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, while hydrogen-powered buses, trains, and maritime vessels are being tested across various regions. Ongoing research and development efforts focus on overcoming challenges and improving hydrogen’s viability as a sustainable transportation fuel, especially for difficult to decarbonize sectors such as heavy transport, shipping and marine.
Industrial processes: Hydrogen plays an important role in the refining process, upgrading fuels and removing contaminants to ensure that final products meet stringent specifications and environmental standards. It is also key in the production of biofuels like renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and synthetic fuels. Beyond transportation fuels, hydrogen can replace natural gas as a feedstock in steel production and other heavy industrial applications. As low-carbon hydrogen production ramps up, it will reduce the carbon intensity of biofuel production and help industrial facilities lower greenhouse gas emissions, supporting cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions for various sectors.
Canada’s hydrogen strategy established a framework for using hydrogen as a tool to reduce emissions. Canada has brought forward a number of measures to promote the production and adoption of low-carbon hydrogen, including the Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit and Clean Fuel Regulations.
For more information, visit Natural Resources Canada
With a number of Canadian provinces leading the way, Canada is accelerating efforts to unlock the potential of hydrogen as a game-changing fuel. It could very well be the key to a cleaner, more sustainable future over the next decade and beyond.
For more information on hydrogen, visit the Canadian Hydrogen Association