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Hydrogen Vision Comes to Sarnia-Lambton

In previous issues of Taking Care of Business, we told you about a feasibility study in the area of hydrogen energy for a community development project. With funding obtained by the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, using Industry Canada's Knowledge-Based Economy initiative, this study was completed by DDM Marcon of Montreal last May.

On July 5th, 2004, the Economic Partnership held a workshop to present the results. A group of 50 local business and government representatives came to hear a panel of experts from Canada and the U.S. speak about recent developments and the future of the hydrogen economy.

The authors of the study launched the workshop with an overview of their findings. (To view the Executive Summary, click here.) They concluded that Sarnia-Lambton is a good candidate to take a leadership role in the regional development of the hydrogen economy however it would require significant community commitment and investment.

Subsequent presentations were given by companies already 100% involved in the hydrogen economy. Stuart Energy from Toronto is a global leader in the development, manufacture and integration of multi-use hydrogen infrastructure products. They offer on-site hydrogen infrastructure products which can fuel vehicles, produce distributed power or be used in industrial processes. Hydrogenics from Toronto is dedicated to the development of hydrogen and fuel cell power products and test stations for fuel cells. Hyradix from Illinois provides hydrogen solutions to end-users using on-site packaged hydrogen plants. They recently completed a project for SunLine Transit Agency in Palm Springs, California.

Steve Feher, president of Feher Machine and Manufacturing in Sarnia , was at the workshop and commented, “I see a niche for Sarnia-Lambton in the development of smaller, more affordable energy units that could be sold to places like the third world in areas with no access to power.”

Tony Hanlon, president of Lambton College, added, “This workshop is a good first step, now many more steps need to happen, such as identifying an industry champion.” He continued, “The College is looking at a new program in the area of renewable energies. We’d also be interested in a pilot site for renewable energy research and development.”

The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pursuing efforts to promote the region for the hydrogen economy. As well as being members of Fuel Cells Canada, the Economic Partnership recently sponsored the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference and Trade Show in Toronto from September 25-28. Representatives from the Economic Partnership were on hand to meet and discuss hydrogen opportunities with interested parties. The conference proceedings will be made available on their website as of November, click here. To view the Economic Partnership's flyer which was prepared for this event, click here.