Innovation Fall 2024

Dr. Walter Mérida, P.Eng. Photo: Martin Dee/UBC Applied Science

Increasing hydrogen’s role These fluctuations in supply and demand present a strong case for backup solutions, primarily fuels like hydrogen. For Mérida, increasing hydrogen's role in the global energy stack is critical for some industries. "There are some services you cannot deliver with electricity alone," he said. Engineers have struggled to create industrial battery-powered freight trucks, for example, because of the challenge of developing batteries with a reasonable range and weight.

Hydrogen shines in this respect for its low density. "Hydrogen is very light, and that opens up a different design space," said Mérida. To further research various components of hydrogen production and industrial-use cases, the SHED includes an electrolyzer powered by its dynamic solar management system, combined with BC Hydro's supplied hydroelectricity. Once the supplied electricity successfully splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, the resulting hydrogen feeds a hydrogen refueling

station. Vehicles like the hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai and Hyundai's pilot XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck will be able to charge at the station. SHED's microgrid controller, installed to coordinate between the facility's solar panels, EV parking lot, and electrolyzer, will be tested as the facility is commissioned this autumn. Samuel Arulnathan, P.Eng., project manager for SHED, explained, "If we're producing a lot of solar energy, and we need it for the electrolyzer, our energy management system

Innovation Fall 2024

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