British Columbia may get world's largest green hydrogen plant

Canada's British Columbia may become home to the world's largest hydrogen production facility, supporting the province’s zero-emission vehicle policy and exporting to important markets like California and Japan.

ITM Power (LON:ITM), Mitsui & Co Ltd (TYO: 8031), Chiyoda Corp (TYO:6366) and BC Hydro will use the results of a just-completed feasibility study to decide whether to build a big hydrogen plant in British Columbia. They initiated the study in April 2018 to evaluate the potential for large-scale production of renewable hydrogen for the domestic market and exports.

“ITM Power is pleased with the results of this feasibility study which highlights the BC region as one of the world's best locations for the generation and export of large-scale renewable hydrogen,” said managing director Steve Jones on Tuesday. The Canadian province has attracted the partners' attention due to the abundance of freshwater and availability of renewable electricity, in combination with the proximity of numerous production sites to deep water harbours for hydrogen export.

The idea is to use ITM Power’s PEM electrolyser technology and Chiyoda’s new liquid organic hydrogen carrier, SPERA Hydrogen. The study, funded by the province government, analysed more than 10 potential locations for the practical installation and operational business cases for up to 300 MW of electrolysis paired with the liquid organic hydrogen carrier technology.

G&S Budd Consulting Ltd supported the partners in the "Feasibility Study and Assessment of Centralized Renewable Hydrogen Production in BC followed by a Pilot Plant Development".

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!