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
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.