Hydrogen from waste: a techno-economic and environmental assessment

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The production and combustion of traditional fuels have a combined contribution of approximately 75% (~25% and 50%, respectively) to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. Hydrogen is a zero-emission (at point of use) energy carrier that can replace traditional fuels for heavy-duty truck fueling. The appropriate technology for producing the hydrogen for refueling stations depends on several factors including feed stock availability, scale, and the ability to make the process net-zero by using clean energy sources or capturing CO2 process emissions. Producing hydrogen from various waste sources, including municipal solid waste, residual biomass, and industrial waste both promotes a circular economy and prevents GHG emissions from the decomposition of the waste in landfill, but may be expensive. In this research program, techno-economic and environmental analyses will be done to understand the critical bottlenecks and trade-offs to meet these criteria throughout Canada including remote and smaller communities, such as those in the North. As the properties of waste are not fully understood, characterization and laboratory scale testing will be done to support the analyses. Professor Hill has an excellent experimental research record in catalytic and thermochemical conversion, which is needed to understand the technologies used in the conversion of waste. Her collaborators are Dr David Layzell, an energy systems architect with extensive experience in techno-economic analysis at The Transition Accelerator, and Dr Daya Nhuchhen an expert in systems modeling and an Advisor in Energy Analytics and Regulatory Affairs at the Government of the Northwest Territories. Both organizations will support this project and benefit from the outcomes that include effective strategies for the conversion of waste to address climate change issues. The research team, which will include a postdoctoral fellow and two PhD students, will continue to interact with technology providers and hydrogen users to ensure that the research is realistic and relevant. The ultimate goal of this research is a demonstration project.