To aid the growth of the hydrogen industry in the province, the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) and Geoscience BC came to an agreement to work together.

In the agreement, the CHFCA and Geoscience BC outline various areas of collaboration. There are numerous opportunities for growth in these areas, such as stimulating regional economic development and identifying B.C.’s geological carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) targets. In addition, geoscience and innovative earth science technologies can be used to address technical gaps and facilitate low-carbon intensity hydrogen production.

Additionally, the two organizations will collaborate on identifying new hydrogen-related earth science research projects.

“The BC Hydrogen Strategy projects growing demand for clean hydrogen to decarbonize industrial processing, heating and transportation,” says Mark Kirby, President and CEO of the CHFCA. “BC is well positioned to produce cost-effective, clean hydrogen from its abundant renewable power, biomass and natural gas reserves, but good geoscience data is needed to support low, zero or even negative carbon intensity hydrogen production. We look forward to collaborating with Geoscience BC on these important initiatives.”

CHFCA represents the majority of the industry and academic stakeholders in Canada’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector and works to raise awareness of the advantages of hydrogen and fuel cells and accelerate the adoption of its members’ products and services in Canada and overseas.

Geoscience BC President and CEO Gavin C. Dirom added, “The need for quality public geoscience to inform evidence-based decisions, including those relating to cleaner energy, geothermal and hydrogen production, is increasing as we transition to a lower carbon economy. This collaboration agreement will help to guide future research and maximize value to this growing sector.”