Hydrogen and the Transition to a Net-Zero Energy System: Implications for Ontario

To address climate change, governments around the world, including Canada, have committed to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century. Achieving this target requires the replacement of our fossil carbon-based energy carriers (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and natural gas) with zero-emission energy carriers produced with minimal or no GHG emissions. While electricity is the most promising energy carrier for a net zero future, hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) hold promise for some sectors, and for export markets. In the presentation, I will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with using H2 and NH3 as zero-emission energy carriers and explore their potential role in Ontario.

THE TRANSITION ACCELERATOR is a pan-Canadian organization that works with others to identify and advance viable pathways to a prosperous, competitive, and net-zero Canada in 2050.

DAVID LAYZELL is an Emeritus Professor from the University of Calgary and an Energy Systems Architect for the Transition Accelerator, a non-profit focused on the net-zero energy system transition in Canada. His research uses techno-economic and environmental modeling tools to identify credible, compelling, and capable pathways for transitioning Canada’s energy systems to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century. His particular interest is how the zero-emission energy carriers, including electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels – produced with very low or zero GHGs – can work together to provide society with its energy needs.

Before assisting in the launch of the Transition Accelerator in 2019, David established the Canadian Energy System Analysis Research (CESAR) Initiative at the U of C in 2013 and was Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) at the U of C (2008-12). As a Professor at Queen’s University (Kingston, ON), he set up and ran the BIOCAP Canada Foundation (1998-2008), founded a scientific instrumentation company called Qubit Systems Inc., and was elected ‘Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’ (FRSC) for his research contributions.