FortisBC investigates hydrogen blending Canadian utility FortisBC has invested $500,000 in a study which will focus on the safe and reliable blending of hydrogen with natural gas in its existing pipeline in British Columbia.
The School of Engineering with the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO) will utilise the capital for the study that aims to further reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
“Hydrogen is an abundant element and a clean energy carrier and will be step change for our efforts on climate action,” explained Doug Slater, Vice-President of External and Indigenous Relations with FortisBC.
“And in order to leverage the potential of hydrogen we need to partner with leading experts in the field. We’re thrilled to have the minds at UBCO on board, helping us unlock this opportunity for what will be a giant step forward in advancing a lower carbon future.”
According to a statement released, the challenge is understanding the potential effects hydrogen may have on the existing natural gas system. In order to overcome this challenge, the team at UBCO will study and test hydrogen to determine what blend and concentration levels of hydrogen are safe to deliver in FortisBC’s system.
“Over the past several years, the School of Engineering and FortisBC have forged a strong research partnership to uncover smart energy and clean technology solutions for British Columbia,” said Rehan Sadiq, Executive Associate Dean at UBCO’s School of Engineering
KR Sridhar, founder, Chairman and CEO, Bloom Energy, added, “Since Bloom Energy’s founding, nearly two decades ago, we’ve known that our technology platform could play a critical role in the hydrogen economy.”
“When it came to hydrogen, the question was never if – but when. With emerging interest in the adoption of hydrogen, our commercial hydrogen strategy is on schedule, and the timing for market entry is right.”
“As the world’s most significant and influential consumers demand and conform to RE100 standards, we are well-positioned with our technology platform to lead in this massive global transformation.”