Come By Chance refinery owners seeking proposals for green hydrogen project
CBC
All the hype surrounding the development of a green hydrogen industry in Newfoundland and Labrador has so far focused on export markets to places like Germany, but the owners of a renewable fuels refinery in Placentia Bay want to change the conversation.
The leadership at Braya Renewable Fuels believes the company can become the largest user of green hydrogen in Canada, and is seeking a partner to help make it happen.
"We are looking forward to a project that brings not just the lowest cost hydrogen to us, but the best opportunity for us to partner and really bring something special to the community," Braya CEO Frank Almaraz told CBC News Tuesday during a phone interview from Dallas, Texas.
An extensive conversion project is underway at the refinery, and the new company hopes to begin producing what's called second generation biofuels — renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel made from plant-based waste oils and animal fats — early next year.
These fuels are chemically identical to the petroleum products they replace, but are not blended with petroleum-based fuels and, as a result, have a lower carbon footprint.
The process will require large quantities of hydrogen — up to 35,000 metric tonnes annually.
Braya has a ready supply of what's known as "grey" hydrogen, which is created from butane gas and generates greenhouse gases.
But in order to lower emissions even further and be a more attractive option to environmentally conscious customers, Braya wants to use hydrogen derived from a renewable energy source, such as wind.
So Braya has issued a request for proposals for companies interested in developing a green hydrogen project adjacent to its Come By Chance refinery.
It's just the latest of many proposed wind energy projects in the province since a moratorium on such developments was lifted last spring. In early October, the provincial government announced it received 31 land nomination submissions for wind energy projects. A competitive call for bids for the use of Crown land is scheduled to launch on Dec. 15.
"We're working quickly in order to be cognizant of the Crown lands sale process," said Almaraz.
The company wants to entice a partner to develop a wind-to-hydrogen project by offering itself as a long-term, stable customer, with the option of scaling up the project in order to supply what is expected to be a massive export market for green hydrogen in the coming years. The company is also touting the availability of fresh water, port facilities and other infrastructure as a drawing card for potential partners.
"We want to buy 35,000 tonnes a year at the lowest cost possible, but we think the strategic opportunity for the region, for our company, for the province and for our partner, is much greater than that," said Almaraz.
Braya also has a "willingness and ability" to invest in the capital cost of the project, added Almaraz, "to scale green hydrogen and green ammonia production, storage, and handling to serve a larger market audience."
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.