A Toronto-based energy company is considering setting up a facility in Summerland to convert scrap aluminum into hydrogen and energy.
At the municipal council meeting on Jan. 10, Green Hydrogen Power outlined a plan to construct a five-megawatt power plant in Summerland. The proposed facility would generate one megawatt for electricity, although this amount could increase to three megawatts.
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The facility would create 1,080 megatonnes of green hydrogen annually, and 18,000 tonnes of aluminum oxide annually, said Steve Neil, vice-president of business development and land acquisition for GH Power.
The alumina produced by the plant would be sold and used in a variety of industrial markets, the hydrogen used for fuel cells and the heat from the process used to generate electricity.
The facility would provide 15 to 17 skilled jobs in the community.
At present GH Energy has built a small-scale plant of this sort in Toronto and is in the process of constructing a full-scale plant in Hamilton, Ont.
Gary Grahn of GH Energy said the plant would create no pollution and would not create waste.
He said hydrogen power is being used at the Port of Los Angeles in California, and hydrogen buses are operating in Vancouver.
Lang said hydrogen energy makes sense for larger vehicles, where battery size becomes a problem.
As for the concerns about the explosive nature of hydrogen power, Lang said the power source is safe. “It will be no less safe than any other vehicle on the road,” he said.
The information in the presentation to council was received for information.
At present, the municipality of Summerland is working to develop a solar and battery storage facility in the community.
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