Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and, although it does not occur naturally on earth as a gas, it can be separated from other elements and used as an energy carrier or fuel. Hydrogen is the cleanest burning and most efficient fuel, offering two to three times more energy per unit of mass than other common fuels. Using hydrogen as an energy carrier has a great potential to lower GHG emissions, improve air quality, promote industrial development, and generate wealth.

The Hydrogen Economy technology area was established to expand knowledge and advance technologies that mitigate climate change and air pollution through hydrogen use. This technology area facilitated hydrogen-related R&D that would contribute to creating a hydrogen energy economy. In such an economy, hydrogen would be extensively used as an energy carrier and chemical feedstock. The projects under this technology area focused on hydrogen production, storage, and use, as well as the codes, standards, safety, and outreach mechanisms necessary to guide these processes.

Biomass By-products for Hydrogen Production

This feasibility study identified Canadian sources of biomass by-products from industry that can be used for hydrogen production. The Canadian biomass sources studied included waste from the forestry and agriculture sectors, the pulp and paper industry, and glycerol, which is a by-product of biodiesel production.

The project resulted in a report that outlined the two main categories of technologies for the conversion of biomass to hydrogen: biological processes and thermal processes. Biological processes include biophotolysis, biological water-gas shift reactions, photofermentation, and dark fermentation. However, these are still in the early stages of development and, therefore, were not elaborated in the report. The three main categories of thermal processes are pyrolysis, liquefaction, and gasification. The report provides a more in-depth discussion of the two most efficient thermal processes, pyrolysis and gasification. Moreover, a brief discussion of two new gasification technologies—biomass gasification in supercritical water and catalytic thermal conversion—was presented.

Project Title: Biomass By-products to Produce Hydrogen

Performers and Partners: Natural Resources Canada, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

New Materials Improve Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Solid oxide (ceramic) fuel cells produce energy by adding oxygen to a fuel. The ceramic conducts electricity while keeping the oxygen and hydrogen separate. The most commonly used ceramic, zirconia, requires a high operating temperature (600°C to 1,000°C) to be efficient. The high temperature necessitates the use of high-cost materials in the fuel cell’s construction and affects the life and reliability of the fuel cells.

This project investigated the use of alternative ceramics, such as lanthanum gallate, for use in solid oxide fuel cells to allow the operating temperature to be reduced to the 500°C to 800°C temperature range. Enabling fuel cell operation at this temperature range would mean a wider range of materials could be used in their construction, including metallic components, reducing the cost as well as extending the life and reliability of the fuel cells.

Project Title: Materials for Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Performers and Partners: Natural Resources Canada, National Research Council Canada

Converting Sour Gas into Hydrogen

Natural gas contains various levels of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). When the concentration of H₂S in natural gas is particularly high, it is commonly referred to as “sour gas.” Because H₂S bonds require less energy to split than other compounds that contain hydrogen, such as water or methane, H₂S is a promising source for low-cost hydrogen.

In this project, Kingston Process Metallurgy adapted an innovative H₂S splitting technology to develop a hydrogen production method. This method would allow hydrogen to be produced from sour gas at a low cost and with limited CO₂ generation.

The method isolates the H₂S gas using existing technology, then bubbles the gas through molten copper. Pure hydrogen gas is released and captured, while the sulfur reacts with the copper and turns it into copper sulfide. The reactions between the H₂S and copper and the copper sulfide and air release energy that helps to heat the system, thus increasing efficiency.

Project Title: Hydrogen Production from Hydrogen Sulphide and Methane

Performers and Partners: Natural Resources Canada, Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc., U.S. Department of Energy—Argonne National Laboratory

Nanomaterials Advance Hydrogen Storage

Existing hydrogen storage systems for use in vehicles are heavy and expensive since they are based on compression or liquefaction of hydrogen. Making hydrogen a viable alternative to carbon-based fuels will depend on developing compact and lightweight hydrogen storage systems for vehicles using low-cost materials and components. Research worldwide in this area is focused on creating hydrides, which are compounds of hydrogen and other materials. Various approaches and materials, mostly involving lightweight metals, are being investigated.

This project examined the use of novel nanomaterials and emerging nanotechnologies for hydrogen storage. One area investigated was the use of magnesium to store hydrogen through the creation of magnesium hydride or magnesium chemical hydride complexes. Research was also conducted into the use of metal-water slurries. The project also investigated hydrogen storage and delivery using water-soluble borohydrides.

Project Title: Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Storage

Performers and Partners: Natural Resources Canada, University of Waterloo, INCO (now Vale INCO), University of Wollongong (Australia), Russian Academy of Sciences, and Hy-Energy (U.S.)

Towards a Successful Wind-Hydrogen-Diesel Demonstration

Ramea Island, located off the coast of Newfoundland, was chosen in 2004 to be the site of Canada’s first wind-diesel demonstration project. The wind turbines are so productive that the energy generated often exceeds the community’s needs. Since the wind energy cannot be easily stored, the excess energy that is generated is lost. Meanwhile, during periods when the wind turbines are not able to produce enough energy, the community must rely on diesel generators to produce electricity.

This project involved conducting a feasibility study to determine whether hydrogen technology could be used to capture and store the wind energy being lost. If possible, the small island would be able to reduce the use of diesel generators when demand is low.

Simulations were developed to analyze the impact of adding hydrogen generation, storage, and utilization technologies to the current wind-diesel demonstration project. Specifically, the study’s objective was to look at using the electricity created by the wind turbines to create hydrogen through electrolysis and then storing the hydrogen for future use.

Project Title: Ramea Island Wind Demonstration Project

Performers and Partners: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Natural Resources Canada, Memorial University, University of New Brunswick, Frontier Power Systems

• << Back
• Table of Contents
• Next >>