The five-day digital convention featured leading international speakers in a variety of plenaries, keynotes, workshop sessions and poster presentations.
The event was sponsored by Cummins, HTEC, Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, Ballard Power Systems, Chart Industries, Hydro-Québec and Hydrogen Optimized. A Digital Replay Ticket is now available for video streaming of sessions.
MONTRÉAL, CANADA – WHTC together with f-cell+HFC 2021 welcomed over 450 participants from 36 countries to share the latest updates on R&D advancements, product deployments, new collaborations, and emerging solutions in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The convention was well-attended by representatives from sector companies, governments, product suppliers, research institutes, investment firms, auto manufacturers, and port operators.
Hosted virtually by the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA), International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), and Peter Sauber Agentur, the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC) with f-cell+HFC featured a wide range of presentations by 200+ speakers ranging from industry executives, climate specialists, investors and academia, as well as politicians and end-users who addressed the vital role that hydrogen and fuel cells will play in decarbonizing global energy systems and achieving Paris Agreement climate change targets by 2050.
The opening plenary was delivered by the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources. Minister O’Regan acknowledged that “hydrogen is no longer a dream” and that “there are few options better than hydrogen” in decarbonizing energy intensive industries, powering heavy transport, producing cleaner heating sources, and providing new markets for Canada’s world-leading energy sector. Minister O’Regan referenced projects underway in Canada such as the Alberta Zero-Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) project which will deploy long-range hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks for operation between Calgary and Edmonton, as well as the recently announced $1.3 billion net-zero hydrogen energy complex to be constructed in Edmonton by Air Products in collaboration with the Government of Canada and Province of Alberta. Minister O’Regan closed his keynote presentation by announcing a Call for Proposals under a new $1.5 billion Clean Fuels Fund to de-risk the building or expansion of clean fuels production facilities in Canada and facilitate the next generation of fuel production including clean hydrogen.
Following the opening plenary which also featured Mark Kirby (CHFCA), Amy Adams (Cummins Inc.), John W. Sheffield (IAHE), Josée Guibord (Evolugen), Mitch Davies (National Research Council Canada), and Sophie Brochu (Hydro-Québec) were a series of impactful keynotes and technical sessions that highlighted the significant advancements in the global hydrogen and fuel cell industry. This can be attributed to the increased commercial penetration of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in a diverse range of sectors ranging from transportation, nuclear, mining, power, natural gas, warehousing and material handling, and port operations.
In addition to Minister O’Regan launching the new $1.5 billion Clean Fuels Fund, several major announcements also took place at WHTC together with f-cell+HFC 2021. The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) and the Hydrogen Business Council of Canada (HboC) announced a new agreement to affiliate in Ontario and provide industry and academia in the province with a strong regional voice to promote hydrogen energy adoption; HTEC will be opening a new division, HTEC Québec, to deliver hydrogen production, distribution, and dispensing solutions to partners and customers in Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Nunavut; and the next World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC) will be taking place in Foshan City, China, on May 23-26, 2023.
The combined convention’s scientific sessions and market-oriented workshops covered a broad spectrum of topics such as fuel cells, hydrogen production, strategies and technoeconomic analyses, materials-based storage, nuclear and hydropower, natural blending, distribution and transportation, mining, iron and steel, aviation urban transit and heavy-duty trucks, and provincial initiatives in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. Conference participants also participated in virtual tours of Montréal and the world’s largest green hydrogen production plant in Bécancour. The Networking Hub at WHTC together with f-cell+HFC featured over a dozen exhibitors who displayed their advancements while creating and strengthening business contacts through the event’s innovative virtual platform.
An added benefit to hosting the event online is the ability to provide access to on-demand video streams of convention sessions. With the purchase of a Digital Replay Ticket, those who missed the event have access to watch more than 80 hours of high-quality content, from hydrogen and fuel cell industry leaders. Check out the event website for detail: hyfcell.com/registration.
A spring date for f-cell+HFC 2022 in Vancouver will be announced in the coming weeks. Register for the event newsletter to stay up to date: hyfcell.com/latest-news.
The next international event is the f-cell 2021 in Stuttgart, Germany, which is set to take place on September 14+15, 2021. The annual event for hydrogen and fuel cell experts, f-cell provides an extensive overview for relevant international markets and industries as well as technological advancements. The interactive format offers an ideal platform for experts and newcomers alike to connect, discuss, and set up sustainable business relationships. The annual event consists of a conference, interactive workshops and topic tables, as well as an international trade fair. The f-cell award, presented as part of the f-cell Evening Event, celebrates international innovation in the fields of hydrogen and fuel cells.
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