Enbridge, Fortis studying hydrogen as low-carbon energy option

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CALGARY, AB — Enbridge and FortisBC are receiving funding from the B.C.’s Ministry of Energy for a study to develop hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source for families and businesses.

The goal of the study, announced on January 17th, is to reduce greenhouse emissions and develop a low-carbon energy economy.

“Hydrogen is a renewable energy source that is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping the province transition to clean energy,” said Minister of Energy Josie Osborne in a release.

The study will look at what percentage of hydrogen can be safely delivered through the current gas pipeline infrastructure of Enbridge and FortisBC to heat homes, hospitals, businesses and schools.

Osborne also acknowledges that this method of transportation can reduce traffic on the road.

“By using existing infrastructure to transport this energy, we can reduce the number of trucks on B.C. highways and roads,” said Osborne.

Enbridge’s Westcoast system operates on more than 2,900 km of pipeline from the northeast of B.C. to the U.S.- Canada border and east to the B.C.- Alberta border.

“At Enbridge, we are working hard to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon intensity of the energy we transport,” said Cynthia Hansen, Enbridge Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream.

The pipeline system supplies natural gas to FortisBC’s approximately 51,000 km gas transmission and distribution system.

“FortisBC recognizes that we have a critical role to play in helping our customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing new energy options that can be delivered safely and reliably through our existing gas system,” said Roger Dall’Antonia, president and CEO at FortisBC.

In a release, Enbridge also acknowledges that as the energy transition progresses, the type of energy can also change to include low-carbon and renewable sources and can create new opportunities for communities and Indigenous groups to participate in the energy transition.