Canada’s Bruce Power said it plans to explore opportunities to leverage optimised site output for potential hydrogen production in partnership with companies within the Clean Energy Frontier region.
“Through our Life-Extension Programme we are providing Ontario residents and businesses with a long-term supply of clean, reliable electricity and life-saving isotopes while also opening the door to possibilities for new innovative technologies that will contribute to Ontario’s Net Zero 2050 goal,” said Bruce Power president and CEO Mike Rencheck.
“The industry can play a leadership role in the fight against climate change by leveraging and optimising our assets, as well as our many decades of experience and expertise with nuclear innovation. We look forward to collaborating with our Clean Energy Frontier partners on this exciting initiative.”
As a first step, Bruce Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with companies within the Clean Energy Frontier region of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties – Bruce Power Net Zero Inc., Greenfield Global, Hydrogen Optimized and Hensall Co-op. The companies will collaborate on a feasibility study to determine opportunities for hydrogen production using this excess energy and to recommend how this unique asset could become a centre of excellence for hydrogen production and key hydrogen hub for the province. The project will be conducted in partnership with the Hydrogen Business Council and is expected to be completed in early 2023.
“Hydrogen Optimized is excited to apply our technology and manufacturing expertise in high-current unipolar water electrolysis systems to this innovative initiative, and to support the advancement of a thriving hydrogen hub here in our region and in Ontario,” said Andrew TB Stuart, president and CEO of Owen Sound-based Hydrogen Optimized.
“Greenfield Global is the largest producer of renewable fuels in Canada and plays an integral part in enabling the low-carbon economy,” said Tom Teahen, senior vice-president, advanced fuels, Greenfield Global. “We are pleased to add our clean hydrogen expertise and join our Clean Energy Frontier regional partners to study the potential for unlocking clean energy to help Ontario reach its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.”
“Hensall Co-op, as a member owned co-operative, realises the need to lower the carbon footprint of agriculture, which is the largest economic driver within the Clean Energy Frontier region,” said Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op. “We look forward to participating with our partners to unlock the clean energy from Bruce Power to reach this goal.”
In addition, the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear at the Nuclear Innovation Institute is also exploring opportunities for Bruce Power’s assets to maximise the impact they’ll have on Canada’s clean energy future. This includes three main activities:
- Leveraging investments being made in Candu technology through Ontario’s refurbishment programme to further clean innovation in other sectors of the economy;
- Making use of The Breakthrough Energy Programme, which conducts research and policy work into SMR technology as well as evaluates the long-term opportunities for fusion energy generation; and
- Exploring opportunities into the next 50 years for Bruce Power’s assets to be optimised, enhanced, leveraged and extended.
Photo: Bruce is looking to collaborate on a feasibility study to determine opportunities for hydrogen production (Photo: Bruce Power)
