Hydrogen in Calgary could unlock freight options for Edmonton

With $3 million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta, Azolla Hydrogen will be able to serve long-haul truckers in Calgary, a key step in making it plausible for fleets to be hydrogen-fuelled, said president and CEO Jared Sayers. "Expanding into Calgary is an important step in building the hydrogen infrastructure Alberta needs to grow the market," he said in a statement posted by the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub. "We're connecting infrastructure, industry, and demand to build a stronger hydrogen corridor across Alberta."

Azolla's rapid deployment station is capable of delivering up to 300 kilograms of hydrogen per day and will help connect Edmonton and Calgary as part of Canada's longest heavy-duty hydrogen transportation corridor. "(This is) a major step on the path to a sustainable hydrogen economy, unlocking a new level of pilots and projects to push Canadian hydrogen innovation forward," the organization posted. The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB also celebrated the news: "By expanding access to reliable refuelling, (the ERA investment) can support vehicle deployments, strengthen the link between Calgary and Edmonton, where Azolla already has a strong presence, and create a foundation for longer-distance routes across Western Canada," mobility program director Mohamed Khaja told Taproot by email.

The Alberta Motor Transport Association has long been working on pilots and demonstrations for hydrogen, including as a partner in the Western Canada Hydrogen Corridors Initiative led by Edmonton Global and Edmonton's hub. The project's ambition is to connect many destinations with heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles, from Fort McMurray to the north, Regina to the east, Great Falls, MT, to the south, and Prince Rupert, BC, to the west. Part of the members' drive comes from a 2024 Deloitte report that suggests Class 8 trucks are ideal candidates for hydrogen use; it goes even further back to Edmonton Global's 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge. Trials have shown hydrogen-fuelled trucks perform well against altitude, temperature, and distance metrics, the AMTA's Terri Johnson said at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit in July.