Advanced Classification of Hydrogen: Life Cycle Assessment and Beyond

Prepared for: Canadian Standards Association

In conjunction with H2GO, this report was prepared for the Canadian Standards Association. Globally, the production and use of hydrogen are increasingly considered as central to the fulfillment of sustainable development goals. Hydrogen has the capacity to meet the demands for heat, power, and transportation, with fewer emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants compared to traditional fossil fuels, and with reduced reliance on non-renewable resources. It can also sustain new economic development and employment opportunities that are consistent with a low-carbon future. However, the extent to which hydrogen contributes to these benefits differs widely depending on how it is produced, distributed, and used. Furthermore, users of hydrogen may value different aspects and impacts of its supply chain according to the sustainable development goals they prioritize (e.g., climate action, human health, or access to decent work), which can vary by community.

The full report may be found here.

CETA themed report on Hydrogen

Prepared for: The EU Delegation to Canada

This report was prepared for the European Union Trade Commission to serve as a guideline to EU companies seeking business opportunities in the hydrogen sector in Canada. The guideline offers an overview of the Canadian hydrogen market, its key players and existing Canadian government support, as well as the opportunities and challenges in the hydrogen sector.

The full report may be found here.

Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Technology Review

Prepared for: Pollution Probe

This report presents the findings of detailed series of investigations undertook by Change Energy and Pollution Probe, in which recognized experts and thought-leaders in automotive technology innovation from around the world were consulted. The research was driven by two basic questions:

• What is the potential of emerging advanced vehicle technologies to reduce GHG emissions, considering Canadian operating conditions and market preferences?

• What are the estimated costs and payback times of advanced vehicle technologies for consumers?

The focus of the study is on advanced combustion engine and powertrain technology (i.e., not plug-in or fuel cell electric vehicle platforms) applied in the light-duty vehicle market, and the scope includes developments in reducing heat-loss within engines, increasing compression ratio, reducing ancillary loads on engines and improving drivetrain efficiency. A key finding was an apparent divergence in fundamental design philosophies between two competing technology development pathways within the industry, in which aggressive hybridization is pit against aggressive engine downsizing enabled by advanced turbocharging.

Read the full report here to see how this competition is shaping up.

Hydrail Railway Transition in Canada: Technological, Operational, Economical, and Societal (TOES) Barriers and Opportunities

Prepared for: Transport Canada

This report presents an assessment of the technological, operational, economical and societal barriers and opportunities of transitioning Canada’s railway sector from the current diesel-dominant energy system to a future state that is principally powered by hydrogen – informally referenced as “hydrail.” The purpose of this study is to inform industry stakeholders of the scale of such an undertaking, and to provide an analytical basis on which to evaluate its feasibility. To frame the assessment, a hypothetical transition model was constructed, consisting of a period of initial prototyping and testing of hydrail systems from present day to 2030, followed by a period of aggressive deployment to 2050. Such a transition was estimated to require approximately C$32B in capital expenditures and achieve a cumulative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 78 Mt over the 2030-2050 period.

The study team assembled by Change Energy Services included industry-leading consultants Peter Eggleton, P.Eng. of Telligence Group, and Michael Iden, PE of Tier 5 Locomotive LLC.

Read the full report here.

Assessment of the Design, Deployment Characteristics, and Requirements of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Switcher Locomotive

Prepared for: Environment & Climate Change Canada

Switcher locomotives are an essential part of railway operations. These locomotives marshal railcars into complete trains for departure on the mainline; they also disassemble trains at designated railyards or other locations. The all-day nature of operations in a railyard means that emissions from switcher locomotives, and other railyard equipment, can be impactful on a local region. The impact can be particularly notable if the railyard is in an urban area.

This paper reports on the outcomes of a feasibility study that examines replacing the diesel engine onboard a common switcher locomotive with a hydrogen-based power supply using fuel cells and batteries. This technology has been used in a variety of vehicles, including in passenger railway operations outside of Canada. The technology has been found to be sufficiently advanced that a demonstration project for freight rail operations is feasible. Switcher locomotives make for a logical start because they operate within a constrained area, which simplifies the fuelling infrastructure, reduces the likelihood of significant disruptions to railway operations, and can reduce emissions in areas where air quality potentially impacts a greater number of people.

Read the full report here.