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Math and Computer Science Day

University of Calgary

November 19, 2024

The IEPS Hydrogen Project

IEPS CANADA

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Hydrogen Fundamentals

Most abundant element in the universe
Zero carbon emissions produced when combusted
Properties and behaviours are well understood
A form energy storage
Hydrogen does occur naturally

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Supply Challenges

Supply - most of the available hydrogen is chemically bound up in water (H₂O) or hydrocarbons (e.g. CH₄) making the production expensive
Energy Density - the energy density is low
Transportation – moving hydrogen from a producing location to a market can be expensive

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Hydrogen Properties

Energy Density of 1 cubic metre at atmospheric pressure and 15℃

	Weight (kg)	Energy (10⁶ Joules)
Hydrogen	0.085 kg	12.1
Natural Gas	0.717 kg	37.3
Propane	1.87 kg	94.0
Diesel	850 kg	36,635

Boiling Point of Hydrogen -252 ℃

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

The Hydrogen Market

Alberta produces about 2.4 million tonnes of hydrogen annually for upgrading and refining crude oil and chemical and fertilizer production
New, emerging markets for hydrogen are focussed on reducing GHG emissions in:

Transportation – heavy-duty trucks
Electrical power generation
Residential and commercial heating

Sources of hydrogen for these emerging markets are currently very limited

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Transporting Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be transported

by pipeline, if the metallurgy of the pipe and operating requirements are appropriate
by truck as a,

gas in specially designed tube trailers with pressure ratings of up to 275 bars (1 bar ≈ 1 atmosphere)

liquid at -252 ℃ in specially designed trailers

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Producing Hydrogen

The most common process used for producing hydrogen today is Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)

Other processes include:

Auto-Thermal Reforming (ATR)
Methanol Reforming
Electrolysis

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The IEPS Hydrogen (H₂) Project

Three common types
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM)
Alkaline
Inputs – water and electricity
Outputs – 99.9% pure hydrogen and oxygen
Advantages

Zero direct GHG emissions
Reliable, efficient, long life
Modular and easily scalable

Electrolysis

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The IEPS Hydrogen (H₂) Project

GHG Emissions Comparison

IEA (2023), Comparison of the emissions intensity of different hydrogen production routes, 2021, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/comparison-of-the-emissions-intensity-of-different-hydrogen-production-routes-2021, Licence: CC BY 4.0

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The IEPS Hydrogen (H₂) Project

Alberta Market Challenges

Currently, there are only a few hydrogen suppliers, there is almost no competition between the suppliers and prices are very high resulting in a minimal of demand
The market has been referred to as being in a “chicken and egg situation”

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The IEPS Hydrogen (H₂) Project

IEPS Hydrogen Project

Joint effort between the County of Newell, the City of Brooks and IEPS to develop a hydrogen hub in the County
To create an initial hydrogen demand, several heavy-duty transport trucks will converted to use a blend of diesel and hydrogen
A temporary supply of hydrogen will be trucked into County until a hydrogen production, storage and refueling facility is built

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The IEPS Hydrogen Project

Technology Development Needs

Application of AI and machine learning to forecast forward electricity prices and improve production planning
Further improvements in dual-fuel conversion technology
Improvements in electrolyser and water treating efficiency and costs
Improvements in hydrogen storage technologies
Improvements in refueling facility cost and reliability

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The IEPS Hydrogen (H₂) Project

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Greg Baden, President

greg@ieps.ca

(403) 771 5887

Or visit our web site at: