FormerXBC Inc XEBEQ

RE:Kurt Is Everywhere, Les Affaires

[sumpineh]

Hydrolux might make a nice addition to the fold. 

ZouZS3 wrote:
Distribution infrastructure Upon reaching the goal of carbon neutrality in 2050, the Canadian Hydrogen Strategy released last December predicts that "clean" hydrogen will provide 30% of the energy produced in Canada. Among the avenues explored in this strategic plan, it is suggested to convert natural gas pipelines to distribute this new fuel. Kurt Sorchark, president and CEO of Xebec, a renewable gas company based in Montreal, is not convinced that this infrastructure can be converted. "For me that's a big question mark," he says. With governments pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, gas companies are threatened with bankruptcy, and their infrastructure is at risk of becoming obsolete. Who will pay for the retraining? " The leader believes that a "decentralized" distribution model fits better with the characteristics of hydrogen production. "Unlike oil and natural gas, which come from the ground, hydrogen can be produced anywhere in the world," he recalls. All it takes is electricity or some other form of energy. Gabriel Antonius illustrates this point by referring to the energy strategy of Hydro-Quebec, which produces hydrogen by electrolysis during off-peak electricity demand hours. "This allows Hydro-Quebec to export its energy in the form of green hydrogen," explains the professor. Ontario, he continues, is considering producing hydrogen from surplus nuclear power. "It's an interesting avenue, knowing that a nuclear plant is difficult to shut down," notes Gabriel Antonius. Hydrogen could also come from harnessing solar or wind power. Or reforming biogas on farms, says Kurt Sorchark, whose company markets BGX Biostream units, which turn organic agricultural waste into renewable natural gas. A production site near you These examples show that future hydrogen production sites will not necessarily match the routes taken by current pipelines. Not to mention that in order to travel long distances, hydrogen gas must be liquefied, which is an expensive process. It is therefore in the interest of production sites to be close to places of recharging or consumption. Kurt Sorchark gives the example of the "decentralized" model of the Dutch company HyGear, acquired in December by Xebec. A HyGear hydrogen production site serves a radius of 100 kilometers; at the start, a truck delivers a few bottles to each charging station, he explains. When a station receives enough vehicles, a production site is built to replace the station, in order to grow with demand. " This approach resonates in Quebec. Montreal-based Hydrolux wants to build a "decentralized" network of "medium capacity" production sites aimed at delivering green hydrogen to industrial customers. "By deploying our modular sites close to our customers, we will be able to deliver compressed hydrogen, which has not been liquefied, therefore at a lower cost," explains Friedrich Dehem-Lemelin, its CEO and co-founder. Hydrolux, which is in the site prospecting stage, also plans to use artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize its production volumes and delivery routes. https://www.lesaffaires.com/dossier/electrification-des-transports-et-mobilite-durable/l-hydrogene-pourra-t-il-verdir-le-transport-lourd/624657