Breaking News: Enbridge & FortisBC Unveil Ambitious Plans to Harness Hydrogen for Greener Future

In a groundbreaking move towards a low-carbon energy future, Enbridge Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. have announced a strategic partnership with the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation. Together, they are embarking on an ambitious journey to explore the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source, utilizing the existing gas pipeline infrastructure in the province.

Fueling the Transition: A Hydrogen Blending Study

Enbridge and FortisBC will lead separate studies, with financial support from the British Columbia Ministry, to compile an integrated summary. This comprehensive report will delve into the safe and reliable delivery of hydrogen through the province’s extensive gas pipeline systems. The hydrogen blending study aims to determine the percentage of hydrogen that can be effectively transported via Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas transmission system and FortisBC’s gas transmission and distribution systems.

Harnessing Existing Infrastructure for a Green Revolution

Enbridge’s Westcoast system boasts over 2,900 kilometers of pipeline, supplying natural gas to FortisBC’s vast gas transmission and distribution network. This collaboration seeks to transform the purpose of this infrastructure, exploring the feasibility of using it for transporting hydrogen. The potential outcome could revolutionize the energy landscape, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ushering in a new era of sustainable energy delivery.

Enabling a Clean Energy Economy

Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, emphasized the significance of hydrogen in reducing emissions and transitioning to clean energy. She highlighted the added benefits of utilizing existing infrastructure, reducing the need for trucks on B.C. highways, and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable transportation model.

Industry Giants Unite for a Greener Tomorrow

Cynthia Hansen, Enbridge Executive Vice President and President of Gas Transmission and Midstream, expressed Enbridge’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using existing energy infrastructure to transport low-carbon energy is a crucial aspect of their strategy. The hydrogen blending study will play a pivotal role in advancing this vision and shaping the future of energy transportation.

Roger Dall’Antonia, President and CEO at FortisBC, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the critical role FortisBC plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasized their long-term vision of incorporating hydrogen into their renewable and low-carbon gas supply. Collaboration with industry and government, as demonstrated in this research, is a key step towards realizing this vision.

British Columbia: A Hub for Clean Energy Innovation

As the energy transition progresses, B.C.’s gas infrastructure is poised to play a crucial role in facilitating this shift. The province’s potential to produce the energy needed for a low-carbon future opens up new opportunities for communities and Indigenous groups to actively participate in the energy transition.

Roadmap for the Future: Codes, Standards, and a Commercial Hydrogen Market

The outcome of the hydrogen blending study will not only determine the feasibility of transporting hydrogen through existing infrastructure but will also serve as a foundation for developing codes and standards to regulate its transportation. This regulatory framework will be instrumental in fostering the growth of a commercial hydrogen market in the province, creating economic opportunities, and driving innovation.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy Landscape

The collaboration between Enbridge, FortisBC, and the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation marks a significant leap towards a greener, more sustainable energy future. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the project aims to pave the way for a hydrogen-powered revolution that reduces emissions, enhances energy efficiency, and opens doors to new economic prospects.

Sources:

Enbridge Inc.
FortisBC Energy Inc.