Net-Zero Energy Pioneers
Canada is well positioned to be a global hydrogen leader, which will help to create thousands of jobs, grow the economy, reduce emissions, and put Canada on a path to achieving net-zero by 2050. On an overall systems basis, this project will reduce Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Set to break ground in Edmonton, Air Products' transformative new $1.3 billion hydrogen facility will deploy advanced technology and an innovative design to deliver net-zero emissions. Connecting this new facility to our existing pipeline network will help our refining and petrochemical customers reduce the carbon intensity of their energy products and improve their sustainability performance. The world-scale liquefaction facility will help to accelerate the use of hydrogen as an emission-free transportation fuel across western Canada.
Edmonton and its surrounding municipalities are driving the transition to a clean energy future. The new energy complex provides options for expansion and for billions in additional private sector investment in the region over time. This represents a huge economic boost for the region and a critical step toward meeting Canada’s climate goals. The next chapter starts now.
Air Products: Generating a Cleaner Future
Hydrogen isn't just the future.
It's already here. Air Products has a 60-year track record of delivering safe, proven hydrogen technology solutions. As one of the world’s largest hydrogen producers, we have experience across the full value chain. Operating in over 50 countries, we partner with all types of companies to incorporate the power and sustainability of clean hydrogen, including as an emission-free fuel for mobility. Hydrogen is the best clean fuel alternative for heavy-duty vehicles like buses, trucks, and trains due to the duty-cycle associated with these applications. Unlike other clean technologies, hydrogen can provide a single solution for all operating conditions which can be adversely affected by vehicle weight, extreme climates, topography, range and refueling time requirements. Because of hydrogen’s versatility and abundance, it is an ideal transportation zero-emissions solution.
As Canada’s leading third-party hydrogen supplier, Air Products has had a strong presence in the Edmonton and Alberta Heartland region for many years. We currently operate three world-scale hydrogen production facilities and a 55-kilometre hydrogen pipeline network. We also operate a hydrogen production facility, a 30-kilometre pipeline network and a liquefaction facility in Sarnia, Ontario.
Canada’s future hydrogen economy will vary by region. With large natural gas reserves, ideal geology for carbon storage and existing infrastructure, Alberta is well positioned to be a leader in blue hydrogen production.
Welcome to Western Canada's Hydrogen Hub
Air Products’ new net-zero hydrogen energy complex, expected to come on-stream in 2024, will make Edmonton, Alberta the centre of western Canada’s hydrogen economy.
How is net-zero achieved? The combination of advanced hydrogen reforming technology, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen-fueled electricity generation makes net-zero possible.
Today, almost all industrial-scale hydrogen is produced using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) technology. If the SMR is equipped with carbon capture technology, then the per-unit emissions can be reduced by about half. To achieve net-zero emissions, Air Products will use an alternative process technology – Auto-Thermal Reforming (ATR) – which enables 95% of the carbon to be captured, transported, and safely stored back underground.
As well, the design incorporates a hydrogen-fueled power generation facility. This reduces the C02 intensity to a level that is close to zero. Then to become net zero, the project is configured to export clean electricity to the grid, where it offsets higher carbon intensity electricity.
Additionally, the “blue, but better” hydrogen supplied from our facility will replace diesel and natural gas as a zero-emission fuel in downstream sectors in the developing hydrogen economy, providing significant GHG reductions across the region and Western Canada.
