By Hydrogen Council
In the bid to develop sustainable energy, small steps can often lead to transformative change. Consider the first electric cars, solar panels, and even wind turbines. Each began as comparatively minor projects. But today, each technology is considered a key facet to the modern grid. Hydrogen energy is on a similar track, with new pilots wielding enormous potential – including a first-of-its-kind initiative that recently came online just north of Toronto, Canada.
That’s where, working collaboratively, Enbridge Gas and its partners 2G Energy and CEM Engineering have installed a hydrogen-powered combined heat and power (CHP) system, a pioneering project for North America. The goal is to use hydrogen made from the provincial electrical grid to meet up to 92% of the electrical needs and up to 58% of the heating load of Enbridge’s 120,000-square-foot Technology Operations Centre (TOC) in Markham, Ontario1.
“Lower carbon hydrogen2 is a cleaner energy alternative to natural gas that could decarbonize various sectors”, said Aqeel Zaidi, Manager of Technology Development, Enbridge Gas. “We estimate that using waste heat from the CHP system located at the Enbridge Power-to-Gas Facility in Markham, could displace up to 74,000 cubic meters of natural gas a year used in the boilers and reduce on-site greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 143 metric tons annually3. That’s the equivalent amount of natural gas consumed by approximately 32 homes per year depending on size and location4.”
More importantly, the system will serve as a proof of concept for a flexible CHP system that can run on hydrogen, natural gas, or combinations of the two. It’s precisely the kind of experience and innovation that could prove pivotal in the broader energy transition.
Enbridge’s TOC is a hydrogen mini-hub, hosting North America’s first Power-to-Gas facility, first blending project and now the continent’s first hydrogen CHP system. Here’s a detailed look at the system:
- 115 kW CHP system supplied by 2G Energy:
- Reciprocating engine gen set with heat recovery system and other ancillary equipment.
- Integrated with building hot water space heating loop.
- Capable of running on 100% hydrogen (H2) or 100% natural gas (NG) and H2/NG gas blends.
- Can switch completely between either fuel in approximately three minutes.
- Delivered as a containerized plug and play package.
- Footprint: 9.6 m x 3 m
- NOx control:
- No Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) needed on hydrogen firing.
- SCR required on gas firing.
For the project, 2G Energy manufactured and supplied the unit and CEM Engineering provided engineering consultation and construction oversight. Here’s a detailed look at the role of each project partner:
- Enbridge Gas:
- Site host
- Hydrogen pipeline and sales station supply and installation
- Commissioning
- 2G Energy Corp.:
- CHP system manufacturer and supplier
- Commissioning and maintenance contract
- CEM Engineering:
- Feasibility study and system design
- Construction management
Enbridge views the project as a promising technology in its quest to lower emissions through the utilization of hydrogen.
As stated on the Enbridge website, hydrogen gas has the potential to be an effective tool in the shift towards lower-carbon energy by displacing natural gas that would otherwise be used in the building for heating needs.
The project is an exciting pilot to help Enbridge understand the effectiveness of this technology and how it could be deployed in larger applications.
When Enbridge launched its blending project, it was clear from public feedback that reducing carbon emissions was important to Enbridge customers5. The project is on Enbridge’s property, and it is an example of the company’s commitment to creating solutions that support the energy transition towards a lower emission economy.
The project is in harmony with Ontario’s drive to reduce carbon emissions while responding to customers’ environmental concerns6.
Paving the way for a sustainable energy transition
To make meaningful strides towards a cleaner energy future, pilot projects like Enbridge’s hydrogen CHP in Markham are important steps in helping achieve carbon reductions. Technologies that leverage existing infrastructure – capable of being both complementary and independent of the main power grid – are key toward its broader adoption. But these systems must be field-tested to identify and resolve issues that inevitably arise with any new mechanism.
In short, this hydrogen CHP system needs to demonstrate its capabilities and that will be the task over the coming months. As this project gears up, it will require continued buy-in from those looking for solutions to reach carbon reduction targets. Energy transitions require sustained public support. The important next questions not only involve technological feasibility but also priorities. Public policy must encourage a regulatory framework and incentive structures that lead to the wider adoption of such innovative, sustainable solutions.
1 Calculations based on historical energy consumption for the TOC.
2 Any language describing hydrogen as ‘lower carbon’ is in comparison to natural gas. As indicated in the Government of Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulation, the carbon intensity of natural gas is 68 gCO2e/MJ ( Pg 2800) and the carbon intensity of hydrogen must be lower than 61 gCO2e/MJ (Pg 2658) to be considered a low-carbon-intensity fuel that displaces natural gas.
3 The CO2e (GHG) savings are on an end-use basis and include the following assumptions and calculations: 74,000 m3/yr of natural gas multiplied by the natural gas emission factor of 0.0019313 tCO2e/m3 natural gas as provided in the 2024 National Inventory Report, Part 2, Tables A6.1-1 and A6.1-3.
4 Typical residential natural gas consumption in Ontario, Canada is between 2,200 to 2,400 m3 per year.
5 dec_order_EGI_Low Carbon Energy LTC_20201029 (4).PDF Pg. 8
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