Funding of $1.35 million through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) will help modernize an Edmonton facility for Alberta firms to test their products and processes to demonstrate the value of Canadian-made technologies for the global hydrogen industry

November 9, 2021 – Edmonton, Alberta – Prairies Economic Development Canada

Hydrogen is a cleaner burning fuel that can help Canada achieve its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As consumers around the globe seek out cleaner fuel sources, the hydrogen industry is set to grow exponentially. Some forecasts estimate the global market for hydrogen could reach over $11 trillion within the next 30 years. Alberta is in a unique position to benefit from this growth: access to low-cost natural gas reserves and a workforce skilled in the natural resource sector provide the province a competitive advantage to benefit both economically and environmentally from the development of new hydrogen technologies.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced a $1.35 million investment to further position Alberta as a leader in the hydrogen economy. Federal funding will enable C-FER Technologies to upgrade one of its Edmonton facilities for testing hydrogen fuel infrastructure, equipment, and technologies.

C-FER Technologies, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Alberta Innovates, works with companies across the energy sector to improve efficiency and environmental performance. C-FER provides full-scale experimental testing and specialized engineering consulting services from its Edmonton-based facilities. The upgraded facility will support Alberta companies as they develop and test new products or processes that allow for the safe and reliable transportation and storage of hydrogen, which is a key challenge for the industry. Approximately 50 small- and medium sized energy firms are expected to benefit from this initiative.

In addition to federal funding, Alberta Innovates is also providing $300,000 towards this initiative. Combined with industry contributions, the total investment is more than $2.8 million.

Today’s C-FER Technologies investment complements $1.2 million from PrairiesCan announced in April 2021 towards the launch of the Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB, which is an alliance of government, Indigenous, academic and economic development leaders to kickstart the Edmonton Region’s low-carbon hydrogen economy.