A new energy market may soon be available in the province, thanks to a $2.7 million investment through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
Funding for the University of Regina to design, build and commission a feed-flexible and process-flexible, pre-commercial hydrogen production demonstration plant was announced today by Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification and the Honourable Laura Ross, Minister of Government Services, on behalf of the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Enterprise and Minister Responsible for Trade.
“Our Government is committed to clean energy technology initiatives like the University of Regina’s hydrogen pilot plant project,
” said MP Lukiwski. “This investment will help promote a clean energy source that will benefit the environment and generate new economic opportunities for Saskatchewan.
”
“By investing in hydrogen, we are investing in the future of our province,
” said Minister Ross. “This is a new energy source with significant market and export potential, and Saskatchewan looks forward to being a leader in this area.
”
The H2 Plant project will demonstrate new and innovative ways to produce hydrogen in an environmentally sustainable manner. The pilot plant is intended to commercially prove new hydrogen technologies that have been successfully tested on a lab scale at the International Test Centre for CO2 Capture located on the University campus. Once commercialized, these new technologies will help to improve the energy sector, including ethanol and bio-diesel production. The University of Regina would own and operate the plant and hold ownership of the new technologies developed through its research.
“The University of Regina is pleased to take part in this leading-edge hydrogen pilot plant,
” said University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons. “This is another excellent example of how the University and governments can work together on exciting projects that stand to have important environmental and economic benefits for our province and country.
”
Canada and Saskatchewan committed $25 million each to a renewed four-year Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement in 2009. The Agreement works to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western Canadian communities.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Joanne Johnson
Communications Director
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 798-0503
Dale Johnson
External Relations
University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 585-5439
Cell: (306) 536-4312
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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- The University of Regina will design, build and commission a feed-flexible and process-flexible pre-commercial hydrogen production pilot plant at the University with a $2.7 million investment through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Hydrogen does not occur in free form on earth. It must be produced by separating it from hydrogen carriers such as hydrocarbon fuels and bio-fuels. This process requires a great deal of heat or electricity.
- University of Regina researchers have developed a unique catalyst technology that greatly reduces the amount of heat needed for hydrogen production.
- The new technology also enables commercial hydrogen production through a feed-flexible and process-flexible plant. This means a wide variety of waste materials from current industrial processes such as biodiesel production, coal and biomass gasification, and natural gas and oil refining, as well as biogas, crude ethanol, fusel oil (higher alcohols) and landfill gas can be used as feedstocks. The catalyst technology works with all the feedstocks, so they can be changed without disrupting operations of the plant.
- The new technology will allow these waste materials to become a value-added product, eliminating the need to dispose of them while at the same time producing a clean burning fuel.
- The new technology also incorporates carbon capture as well.
- The long-term plan is to build small hydrogen plants to provide electricity and heating and transportation fuel to supply small communities or large facilities, such as airports or hospitals.
- Once demonstrated at the pilot scale, the technology will be ready for commercial deployment.
- The lead researcher on the project is Dr. Raphael Idem. He is a Professor of Engineering and Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
- The hydrogen pilot plant will be housed at the International Test Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture at the University of Regina.
- The University of Regina is part of the NSERC Hydrogen Canada (H2CAN) Strategic Research Network. H2CAN brings together leading hydrogen and clean energy researchers working on different aspects of hydrogen production, utilization, transportation and storage. As a result, the University’s pilot plant is being developed in tandem with other inter-related hydrogen technologies.
- For photos of the University of Regina's hydrogen labs and pilot plant rendering, please visit: www.uregina.ca/engineering/hydrogen/
Contact:
Dale Johnson, External Relations
Phone: (306) 585-5439
Cell: (306) 536-4312
Email: dale.johnson@uregina.ca
