Storing renewable electricity
To date, hydrogen has primarily been produced with fossil fuels and used in industry. And although RH2 can, and will, replace conventional hydrogen in industry and be used to produce, for example, green ammonia for fertilizer, it has an even bigger role to play.

Hydrogen, like electricity, is an energy carrier—a means of storing intermittent sources of renewable electricity, such as wind and solar.
Delivering and storing RH2
A viable RH2 infrastructure requires that RH2 be delivered from where it's produced to where it's used. RH2 infrastructure includes pipelines, cryogenic liquid tanker trucks, gaseous tube trailers, trains, storage facilities, compressors, and dispensers. 
In recent years there have been significant advances in the global hydrogen distribution network. Some of the infrastructure is in place, but it's not sufficient to support widespread consumer use of RH2 as an energy carrier. Large-scale RH2 production will stimulate infrastructure expansion.
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Storing hydrogen on an industrial scale
Pipelines are the most economical means of transporting large quantities of hydrogen (gaseous) great distances. Today, there are about 4600 km of dedicated hydrogen pipelines in the world: US, 2500 km; Europe, 1600 km; rest of the world, 500 km. Hydrogen can also be transported in natural gas pipelines, with blends of up to 20% hydrogen. There is a long history of this —with much higher hydrogen content ratios—in both North America and Europe.

When RH2 production takes off and demand for natural gas wanes, some natural gas pipelines will likely be converted to hydrogen pipelines, which generally requires some modifications to the pipelines.

In the future, it's probable that there will be dedicated RH2 pipelines running from northeastern BC directly to markets in North America.
Using RH2 as a fuel
RH2 can be used as a fuel for:
  • Fuel cells
  • Combined cycle gas turbines
  • Blending with natural gas 
  • Blending with diesel​

​Fuel Cells

Fuel cells convert chemical potential energy into electrical energy. Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen to do this. The products in the fuel cell are water, electricity and heat.
Fuel cells are inherently more efficient than internal combustion engines, which must first convert chemical potential energy into heat and then mechanical work.

There are three broad areas in which fuel cells can be used: 
  • Transportation (forklifts, scooters, cars, trucks, trains, small boats, ferries, manned light aircraft)
  • Portable power generation (as an alternative to batteries)
  • Stationary power generation (buildings, providing electricity and sometimes heat)
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When RH2 instead of fossil fuels is used in these applications, GHG emissions drop, and energy efficiency and air quality rise—significantly.
Left: Fuel cell stack and H2 tank in a Toyota Mira FCEV; Right: Fuel cells for stationary power
Natural gas blendstock

If used in concentrations of up to 10% hydrogen by volume, natural gas/hydrogen blends can be used directly in end-use devices such as household appliances (stoves, furnaces, fireplaces) without issue. Many people in Vancouver, for example, would love to continue to use natural gas in their homes and workplaces (for economic, practical and aesthetic reasons). Blending natural gas with RH2 would extend its use in BC for many years to come—while helping meet climate action targets.

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​Another option with the natural gas/RH2 blend is to extract the RH2 from the natural gas for use in fuel cells and other applications. There are a variety of technologies for this and research to enhance their efficiencies is ongoing.
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Blending hydrogen into the natural gas grid
Renewable Hydrogen Canada's vision for RH2
If we truly are to decarbonize, we need to escalate the integration of renewable energy into our energy mix . Because of its capacity to store renewable electricity for use when needed, RH2 is the ultimate decarbonizer.

Given northeastern BC's vast untapped reserves of renewable energy (particularly wind), and the legal requirements of Vancouver and BC to decarbonize, RH2C is currently focused on:

  • Producing RH2 in the northeast;
  • Blending it with natural gas in the region;
  • Distributing the blended fuel to Vancouver via the province's largest natural gas pipeline.  

Implementing this plan will stimulate considerable job-generating investment in sustainable businesses: northeastern BC could host many world-scale RH2  plants.
Word is getting out that BC has the resources, infrastructure, and proximity to major markets to become a leading exporter of RH2. The most obvious international markets for BC-produced RH2 are:
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  • California, which requires all energy used in the state to be fossil-free by 2045—and could receive RH2 from BC by pipeline, truck, or truck or train and ship;
  • Japan, which is seeking to become a RH2-based society, and is only an eight-day voyage from Prince Rupert on BC's north coast. 

​Concurrent with our focus on blending RH2 and natural gas, Renewable Hydrogen Canada is pursuing emerging opportunities to make RH2 a major export commodity for BC, and thereby reinforce our reputation as a climate change leader.

Now is the time. Northeastern BC is the place.
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Artist rendering of a liquid hydrogen carrier—headed for Japan