Science, Technology, Energy and Mines
Hydrogen
Hydrogen fuel cells are a technology with tremendous potential – promising to power everything from cars to homes with no harmful emissions. There are two things needed to create hydrogen for this use: water and electricity. Manitoba has both in abundance. With the lowest electricity prices in North America, Manitoba will be the first jurisdiction on the continent where hydrogen can be produced economically via electrolysis. Developing hydrogen applications will require a variety of new technologies, products and services such as fuel cell buses and hydrogen refueling stations. This will also mean economic opportunities for Manitoba companies and new, high technology jobs.
In 2003, Manitoba released its Preliminary Hydrogen Opportunities Report that outlines a vision positioning the province for the future. That vision:
To become over the next twenty years a leader in the provision of products, services and technologies that will contribute to a cleaner energy economy, particularly one based on
renewable hydrogen.
The objective of the preliminary assessments was to identify opportunities that could form the basis of a Hydrogen Economic Development Strategy. Five specific opportunity areas were identified:
- hydrogen production and movement
- transportation: vehicles and refueling
- stationary and portable fuel cell applications
- research/scientific centre of excellence
- non-fuel and other applications
The government has also worked on hydrogen development in partnership with private sector companies New Flyer and Kraus Global. Winnipeg’s New Flyer Industries is the leading manufacturer of hybrid and alternative fuel buses in Canada and the United States, with major international sales. Building on that expertise, the world’s first hybrid internal combustion engine hydrogen (HHICE) bus was tested on the streets of Winnipeg in January 2005.
Also based in Manitoba, Kraus Global Inc. develops and markets refueling systems for hydrogen and other alternative fuels.
Hydrogen Centre of ExpertiseManitoba has built on these activities by establishing a Hydrogen Centre of Expertise to address long-term approaches for sustainable energy and greenhouse gas reductions including research and commercialization of clean hydrogen technology.
Please visit Manitoba Energy Development Initiative for more information.
