TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC — The Government of Quebec is granting $450,000 to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) to support the development of innovative catalysts and electrodes, efficient and sustainable at low cost for the production of green hydrogen. Valued at more than one million dollars, this initiative will be carried out under the direction of Mr. Bruno Pollet, professor at the Hydrogen Research Institute (IRH). This work is part of a new chair on renewable hydrogen production, funded by the Quebec company Innergex renewable energy.
The Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, made the announcement today.
More specifically, the research project aims to develop green hydrogen production technologies through innovation in materials science, optimization of production systems and their scaling up for large-scale production. It will also focus on the development of long-term storage technologies for the efficient distribution of hydrogen over long distances.
The government contribution is granted under component 2a – Support for research-innovation projects of the Support Program for Research and Innovation Organizations (PSO), administered by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
Quotes:
“In addition to making Quebec industries less polluting, green hydrogen will help achieve our ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. To consolidate Quebec’s position as a leader in this promising sector, we must invest in industrial innovation, and this is exactly what the UQTR project will allow. The hydrogen made from our hydroelectricity will be some of the greenest in the world. Further research is needed to optimize its large-scale production. »
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development
“In Mauricie, we have state-of-the-art research infrastructure as well as a port industrial park with a large hydrogen production plant. Our region is therefore the ideal place to carry out this project, which will promote the growth of this sector in Quebec. I am convinced that UQTR, with its highly qualified experts and researchers, has what it takes to carve out a place among the leaders in research and innovation in this sector of the future. »
Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region and MNA for Trois-Rivières
“The transition to a more low-carbon economy necessarily involves increased use of renewable energies, such as green hydrogen. Collectively, we must seize this opportunity to develop our expertise in this area and further integrate this new form of energy. The research led by UQTR and its institute will allow us to take a giant step in this direction, in particular by encouraging the development of technologies for the production and use of hydrogen in Quebec. »
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions
“This mark of trust and recognition from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation once again confirms the leadership assumed by UQTR and its researchers in the field of hydrogen. The Hydrogen Research Institute at UQTR was one of the first research units dedicated to hydrogen-based technologies in Canada. It is still the only one in the country to be specifically interested in the issues of hydrogen as an energy vector. The funding obtained will allow us to contribute even more strongly to the growth of an important sector for the economy and the environment of Quebec: the production of green hydrogen. This is an essential niche for an energy transition that affects the multitude of sectors where direct electrification is not a possible solution. »
Christian Blanchette , rector of the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières
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