Shaping the Future

In British Columbia, FortisBC is teaming up to push the boundaries of hydrogen research.

The utility has committed $500,000 in research funding, complemented by $2.3 million from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and $800,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, to help launch H2LAB, which will explore how hydrogen can be safely integrated into existing natural gas infrastructure.

According to Dr. Will Hughes, director of UBCO’s School of Engineering, the 2,000-square-foot H2LAB is not only an investment in research but also a facility that can bring low-carbon energy knowledge, testing, techniques and infrastructure to the region, the province and beyond.

“The H2Lab is a world-class space for clean energy innovation to occur right here in the Okanagan,” said Hughes. “That kind of innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it takes collaboration. We are deeply grateful to FortisBC for their support of the research in the lab.”

The H2LAB will play a crucial role in testing materials and infrastructure for hydrogen transmission. Researchers at UBCO can now conduct four industry-standard tests, including hydrogen permeability assessments—an essential step toward safely transporting hydrogen through existing gas pipelines.

“Hydrogen has incredible potential across multiple industries, but testing and validation are crucial,” explained Dr. Dimitry Sediako, a researcher at H2LAB. “This lab allows us to conduct industry-standard tests that weren’t previously possible in the region, or even in much of Canada.”

FortisBC pioneered North America’s first voluntary renewable natural gas program 15 years ago and continues to invest in hydrogen as a solution for emissions reduction.

“Our collaboration with UBCO and the H2LAB is a key part of our journey toward reducing emissions while meeting the energy needs of homes and businesses across our province,” said Dawn Mehrer, vice president of corporate services and technology at FortisBC. “Together, we’re exploring how hydrogen can be integrated safely and effectively into our gas system, and the insights we’re gaining will play a vital role in shaping the future of low-carbon energy, including hydrogen blending with natural gas to reduce emissions even further.”