Hydrogen Economy

CANADA

For some time now, the Canadian government has invested in transforming Canada into a world leader in the development of hydrogen technologies. In the last twenty years, the Canadian government has provided over $200 million in support of the development of fuel cells and other hydrogen related technologies[1]. In 2003, the Canadian government furthered its commitment by appropriating $70 million per year in the following five years to fund further research and development of hydrogen infrastructure and subsequent technology demonstration. Managing these funds is Canada’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee (H2FCC), a collaborative effort among various federal governments working with industry and academia to develop the technology necessary for a hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen Highway

In April 2004, Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin, announced plans to build a Hydrogen Highway from the Vancouver Airport to Whistler in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics (similar to that being built in California). This is a joint effort between utility companies BC Hydro, Fuel Cells Canada, Methanex Corporation, NRCan, NRC and the Government of British Colombia. The goal of the Hydrogen Highway is to accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy by providing a large-scale demonstration project of commercialized fuel-cell technologies. The hydrogen highway will include seven nodes, areas that contain sustainable hydrogen fueling infrastructure as well as a range of transportation and stationery applications [2]. Investors hope that this project will help overcome some of the challenges of a permanent hydrogen economy and help the country gain expertise, knowledge and experience with hydrogen technology.

International Cooperation

In addition to its domestically funded research and development programs, Canada has also been eager in its collaboration with other developed nations in developing technology for a hydrogen economy. In 2003, Canada joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), a venture led by the United States to further collaborative efforts on developing a global hydrogen economy. Furthermore, Canada has signed Memorandums of Understanding with US Fuel Cell Council, the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, and the World Fuel Cell Council/Fuel Cell Europe which allows for the coordinated efforts of over three hundred businesses and research institutions that focus on the development of fuel cells and hydrogen [1].

Sources

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee. “Charting the Course: A Program Roadmap for Canada’s Transition to a Hydrogen Economy”, 2004.
National Research Council. “Canda’s Hydrogen Highway – an NRC-born Cluster Development Strategy”, May 2004, found: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/highlights/0405hydrogen_e.html

Introduction

Production

Storage & Infrastructure

Atmospheric Effects

Government Involvement

Iceland

Conclusions



Introduction Production Storage & Infrastructure Applications Atmospheric Effects Government Involvement Iceland United States European Union Japan Canada Conclusions	CANADA For some time now, the Canadian government has invested in transforming Canada into a world leader in the development of hydrogen technologies. In the last twenty years, the Canadian government has provided over $200 million in support of the development of fuel cells and other hydrogen related technologies[1]. In 2003, the Canadian government furthered its commitment by appropriating $70 million per year in the following five years to fund further research and development of hydrogen infrastructure and subsequent technology demonstration. Managing these funds is Canada’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee (H2FCC), a collaborative effort among various federal governments working with industry and academia to develop the technology necessary for a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen Highway In April 2004, Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin, announced plans to build a Hydrogen Highway from the Vancouver Airport to Whistler in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics (similar to that being built in California). This is a joint effort between utility companies BC Hydro, Fuel Cells Canada, Methanex Corporation, NRCan, NRC and the Government of British Colombia. The goal of the Hydrogen Highway is to accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy by providing a large-scale demonstration project of commercialized fuel-cell technologies. The hydrogen highway will include seven nodes, areas that contain sustainable hydrogen fueling infrastructure as well as a range of transportation and stationery applications [2]. Investors hope that this project will help overcome some of the challenges of a permanent hydrogen economy and help the country gain expertise, knowledge and experience with hydrogen technology. International Cooperation In addition to its domestically funded research and development programs, Canada has also been eager in its collaboration with other developed nations in developing technology for a hydrogen economy. In 2003, Canada joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), a venture led by the United States to further collaborative efforts on developing a global hydrogen economy. Furthermore, Canada has signed Memorandums of Understanding with US Fuel Cell Council, the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, and the World Fuel Cell Council/Fuel Cell Europe which allows for the coordinated efforts of over three hundred businesses and research institutions that focus on the development of fuel cells and hydrogen [1]. Sources Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee. “Charting the Course: A Program Roadmap for Canada’s Transition to a Hydrogen Economy”, 2004. National Research Council. “Canda’s Hydrogen Highway – an NRC-born Cluster Development Strategy”, May 2004, found: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/highlights/0405hydrogen_e.html Map for Canada's Hydrogen Highway Prime Minister Paul Martin with Maja Veljkovic, Director General of the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI).
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