In-Depth
WHTC conference explored hydrogen innovation in a variety of industries

MONTRÉAL — WHTC together with f-cell+HFC 2021 welcomed over 450 participants from 36 countries to share the latest updates on R&D advancements, product deployments, new collaborations, and emerging solutions in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The convention was attended by representatives from sector companies, governments, product suppliers, research institutes, investment firms, auto manufacturers, and port operators.

Hosted virtually by the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA), International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), and Peter Sauber Agentur, the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC) with f-cell+HFC featured a wide range of presentations by 200+ speakers ranging from industry executives, climate specialists, investors and academia, as well as politicians and end-users who addressed the role that hydrogen and fuel cells will play in decarbonizing global energy systems and achieving Paris Agreement climate change targets by 2050.

The opening plenary was delivered by the Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources. Minister O’Regan acknowledged that “hydrogen is no longer a dream” and that “there are few options better than hydrogen” in decarbonizing energy intensive industries, powering heavy transport, producing cleaner heating sources, and providing new markets for Canada’s world-leading energy sector. Minister O’Regan referenced projects underway in Canada such as the Alberta Zero-Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) project which will deploy long-range hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks for operation between Calgary and Edmonton, as well as the recently announced $1.3 billion net-zero hydrogen energy complex to be constructed in Edmonton by Air Products in collaboration with the Government of Canada and Province of Alberta. Minister O’Regan closed his keynote presentation by announcing a Call for Proposals under a new $1.5 billion Clean Fuels Fund to de-risk the building or expansion of clean fuels production facilities in Canada and facilitate the next generation of fuel production including clean hydrogen.

The combined convention’s scientific sessions and market-oriented workshops covered a broad spectrum of topics such as fuel cells, hydrogen production, strategies and technoeconomic analyses, materials-based storage, nuclear and hydropower, natural blending, distribution and transportation, mining, iron and steel, aviation urban transit and heavy-duty trucks, and provincial initiatives in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.

With the purchase of a Digital Replay Ticket, people are able to watch all of the presentations from the conference: hyfcell.com/registration.