A project at the University of Windsor is one of six across the province to get provincial funding to study the use of hydrogen to produce electricity.
The Ontario government has awarded researchers $130,000 from the new Hydrogen Innovation Fund to find out how hydrogen produced by wind can supply the electricity grid and the greenhouse sector.
The government announced the fund in February with an initial investment of $15-million over three years. It revealed the first six projects on Thursday.
"Our government is leveraging one of our province's clear strengths, our world-class, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity system, to make us a leader in the growing hydrogen economy," said Energy Minister Todd Smith. "Today's investments -- will kickstart new opportunities for hydrogen to be used as a clean fuel, creating new jobs and driving down emissions."
Enbridge Gas in Markham will get almost $1.8-million for North America's first combined heat and power facility blending hydrogen gas with natural gas.
"The system can quickly switch between energy sources, making it a reliable and efficient way to reduce emissions," said Enbridge Gas President Michele Harradence.
A new facility in Brampton producing hydrogen from waste was awarded over $2.9-million, while another $1.9-million is going to a hydrogen fueling station in Port Elgin. Carlsun Energy Solutions will study the feasibility of using off-peak electricity to produce hydrogen at locations in Seaforth and Goderich. The project received $500,000, and $250,000 will go to Kinectrics.
The Independent Electricity System Operator is administrating the funding.
"The projects announced today will reveal crucial insights into how hydrogen electrolyzers can be integrated into Ontario's electricity system while producing low-carbon hydrogen for other end-uses," said IESO President and CEO Lesley Gallinger.
The government estimates the hydrogen economy will create 100,000 new jobs across Ontario by 2050 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 megatonnes a year, the equivalent of taking 15 million cars off the road.
