Hydrogen convention in Edmonton underscores Alberta's potentially bright energy future
The third annual Canadian Hydrogen Convention, which is underway in Edmonton and runs through Thursday, is expected to draw more than 8,000 people, including international dignitaries, leading experts and companies.
And they're hearing from Alberta's premier about how the province — and the city — are key to the future of hydrogen, which is why the government is rolling out $57 million to develop 28 new hydrogen technologies.
"We are Canada’s largest hydrogen producer and user with the ability to make some of the lowest costs clean and hydrogen in the world," Premier Danielle Smith told the audience on Tuesday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
"Our province has the resources and the know-how to become a global powerhouse."
$7 million of that investment by the provincial government will go to Linde Canada to install hydrogen production, distribution and refueling infrastructure in the Edmonton area.
"Its a no-brainer," Linde Canada Director Greg Panuccio told CTV News Edmonton.
"This is the place where investments should be made (and) are being made, so its an exciting time to be working in this space."
Another $6.9 million will go to the City of Edmonton to test hydrogen vehicle refuelling and performance, with nearly $2 million for the Edmonton International Airport to explore the future of the gas in aviation.
Amit Kumar, the Canada research Cahir in Assessment of Energy Systems at the University of Alberta, says events such as this week's convention help establish Alberta as a hydrogen hub, tapping into what could be a $12-trillion market allowing Alberta to export hydrogen instead of oil and natural gas.
"When the world moves away from fossil fuel, hydrogen could be the way," Kumar said Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
5 rescued after avalanche triggered north of Whistler, B.C. RCMP say
Emergency crews and heli-skiing staff helped rescue five people who were caught up in a backcountry avalanche north of Whistler, B.C., on Monday morning.
Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say
RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder.
Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Former President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington after developing a fever.
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office.
UN investigative team says Syria's new authorities 'very receptive' to probe of Assad war crimes
The U.N. organization assisting in investigating the most serious crimes in Syria said Monday the country’s new authorities were “very receptive” to its request for cooperation during a just-concluded visit to Damascus, and it is preparing to deploy.
Pioneering Métis human rights advocate Muriel Stanley Venne dies at 87
Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway
A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.
Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering
Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans.