Canadian Hydrogen Conference – Day One
Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) President Chris Nash announced an ambitious two-year Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstration April 26 at the sold out Canadian Hydrogen Convention (CHC) Hydrogen Hub stage.
With an anticipated 4,000 attendees from around the world CHC serves to show the critical role Canada is playing in the development of a global hydrogen economy.
AMTA has partnered with three hydrogen truck developers: Hydra, Hyzon and Nikola for the demonstrations. Hydra dual fuel demonstrations started April 2022 and will conclude March 2024; Hyzon hydrogen truck demonstrations begin July and will conclude March 2023 and Nikola hydrogen truck demonstrations begin April 2023 through March 2024.
“Commercial drivers will gain knowledge and experience in sustainable vehicle technologies, fuel safety and other operational efficiencies,” said Nash. “The demonstrations will enhance a carrier’s operations, support their day to day business and help attract and retain people to the transportation industry.”
Nash also participated in a fireside chat: Decarbonizing Commercial Transport with Hydrogen moderated by AMTA Research and Innovation Manager Amanda Mesluk and including HTEC President and CEO Colin Armstrong and AMTA Board Mentor and Lead Consultant, IQ Trucking Consultants Inc., Marcel Pouliot.
The chat centred on the Alberta Zero Emission Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC). AZETEC is the design and manufacture of two heavy duty hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, to be the first of their size and capacity built and tested in the world. The trucks will be able to accommodate the loads, distances and climate demands of Alberta’s prairies.
The collaboration includes AMTA, HTEC, Zen Clean Energy Solutions, Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR), Bison Transport, Trimac Transportation, Suncor Energy, ERA, Dana, Ballard and Freightliner
Pouliot took the audience back to AZETEC’s early days when AMTA was approached by Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) to discuss hydrogen in the supply chain.
Nash spoke to the importance of the partnerships considering a project of this scope.
“When we really think about how this came together, what we learned form this as an association as we evolved was the importance of the collaboration.”
HTEC is behind AZETEC’s refueling systems.
“When we heard about the AZETEC project, we definitely wanted to be part of that,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to continue the learning we’ve been doing for 20 years.”
If you’re attending the conference, you can find AMTA at booth 703, or follow our social channels for real time updates. AMTA will be present for another announcement and fireside chat April 27 at 10:15 and 11:15, you can follow the livestream here.
