Ready to inject a “high level” of green hydrogen throughout its distribution network, Quebec-based Gazifère is preparing to become the first Canadian distributor to market the molecule for all of its customers.
“We are no longer in a test phase, but in a commercial phase”, confirms to the To have to Jean-Benoit Trahan, president of Gazifère, a natural gas distributor whose 1,000-kilometre network serves more than 43,000 customers in the Outaouais. “We know that we can inject [de l’hydrogène] in our network, we want to do it,” he continues.
Gazifère will thus become the first Canadian, or even North American, distributor to inject hydrogen into its entire network. Steps have also been taken to obtain the green light from the Régie de l’énergie du Québec. In its request, the subsidiary of Alberta Enbridge indicates that it wants to inject “this type of energy in the short term”.
“We hope to be able [d’injecter de l’hydrogène] within two years, maximum three, specifies Mr. Trahan. You understand that the steps are already long in normal times; current delays in the supply chain may cause some equipment to be delayed. »
Over the past year, the distributor has analyzed its network to determine its capacity to receive hydrogen. The analyzes are conclusive, according to Mr. Trahan: “The results tell us what concentration [d’hydrogène] can be injected, in percentage. »
A “high level of hydrogen” could be introduced into the network, he said, without however detailing these results, which will be published in the coming weeks. Remember that in Europe, where distributors are in the marketing phase, the hydrogen concentration threshold does not exceed 20%.
Other players interested in hydrogen
Gazifère is not the only player in industry to want to position themselves in the hydrogen sector. The largest gas distributor in the province, Énergir, is currently testing the components of its network by injecting small quantities of hydrogen, in a closed circuit, at two sites it owns: one located near the Cité du Multimédia , south of downtown Montreal, and the other in the Quartier de l’énergie, in Boucherville.
Another Quebec company, Intragaz, has received the green light from the Régie de l’énergie to test its infrastructure. The company owns the only two natural gas storage sites in Quebec which are, in fact, converted depleted fields. One of them is located in the Pointe-du-Lac sector in Trois-Rivières, while the other is in Saint-Flavien, near Quebec City.
However, in this race for the distribution of hydrogen, Gazifère has an advantage over its competitors, according to Mr. Trahan: “We are lucky to be a great little network. As our network is concentrated, we are able to inject [de l’hydrogène] throughout our network to see how we should adapt afterwards. »
In terms of hydrogen, Gazifère is banking on setting up “a multi-injection-multi-consumption network”. The company is currently discussing with hydrogen producers to inject [de l’hydrogène] in his network, he says. These would increase the production capacity that should come in the next few years from Gazifère. The Calgary company Enbridge, owner of Gazifère, has entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of the energy giant Brookfield to produce green hydrogen that will be injected into the distribution network.
Complex energy transition
Jean-Benoit Trahan concedes that it is difficult to accurately gauge the role that hydrogen will play in the coming decades. Its consumption depends on the progress of the energy transition, which is, to say the least, “complex”, he says. “The use of hydrogen will therefore be different according to the needs of certain industries, but also according to the regions where you are, or even a locality. »
We are lucky to be a great little network. As our network is concentrated, we are able to inject [de l’hydrogène] across our network to see how we should adapt afterwards
When it comes to energy transition, several uncertainties persist, he explains, citing the example of transport: “Apart from heavy transport, hydrogen is less efficient there than storing electricity in a battery, it’s true. But there are constraints to producing batteries: whether in terms of mining production or the geopolitical game. The place of hydrogen is part of this game. »
Hydrogen strategies for Canada and Quebec were released in December 2020 and May 2022 respectively. in Canada by 2050”. Quebec, for its part, has not made any forecasts, but gives much less importance to this energy vector than to the “more mature” bioenergy sectors, in which it invests more.