Canada has granted CAD $4.9m ($3.6m) to finance the development of two nuclear-powered hydrogen-based e-fuel projects. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) awarded the funding to Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Expander Energy, Nuclear Promise X, St. Marys Cement and FuelCell Energy (FCE) who are looking to produce e-fuels for use in Canada’s transport sector.

eFuel production is based on the extraction of hydrogen. This happens by means of an electrolysis process that breaks down water (e.g. seawater from desalination plants) into its components of hydrogen and oxygen. For this process and further production steps, electricity is required. In a second process step, the hydrogen is combined with CO2 extracted from the air and converted into a liquid energy carrier: eFuel. Under high pressure using a catalyst, the hydrogen binds with the CO2. Because electricity is used for the production of eFuels, the procedure is known as a power-to-liquid process: electricity is converted into a synthetic liquid that is easy to store and simple to transport.

Planning to produce low-carbon synthetic diesel and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) using hydrogen produced from FCE’s solid oxide electrolysers (SOEC) powered by nuclear power, the projects will look to use direct air capture (DAC) and industrial carbon capture for the supply of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The main development will be focused on studying the production of synthesis gas directly from the electrolysis of water and CO2, using a 5kW FCE electrolyser at a St. Marys Cement facility, using CO2 from the plant’s flue gas stream. Upon successful completion of the pilot project, the partners will develop a conceptual design for a large-scale facility that converts synthesis gas into e-fuels.

Jason Few, President and CEO of FuelCell Energy, said the use of nuclear power for the project will allow the firm’s SOEC technology to achieve “100% electrical efficiency.”

“The uniqueness of our electrolysis platform to bring in cold water and produce dry hydrogen at over 90% efficiency and, with the addition of external heat, increase efficiency to 100% is unmatched and will enhance the economics of synthetic fuel production,” he said. A separate project will explore producing 30 million litres of synthetic diesel annually using biomass through high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE).

Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, said, “Through advancing research and investing in clean fuel production, the work being led by the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and its partners is helping to build momentum towards Canada’s clean energy future while enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian clean fuels on the global stage and in turn, seizing the associated economic opportunities.”

To learn more about the future of zero-emissions off-highway vehicles, hear keynote speeches about the latest innovations in the field, and visit a wide array of exhibitors, book your tickets to the DZOM EXPO, taking place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre in Chicago, IL, on December 3–4, 2024. 

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