Speaker: David Layzell
Date: October 10, 2019
Dr. David Layzell works with innovative industry, governments and academics to identify and deploy credible and compelling transition pathways that are capable of transforming Canada into a vibrant, low-carbon economy. His research program, the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) initiative, uses analytical and modeling tools to explore how existing or new technology, business models, and policy or social innovations could transform or disrupt the systems that Canadians use for societal provisioning. Before launching CESAR in 2013, Dr. Layzell was Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) at the University of Calgary (2008-12), and the Executive Director of BIOCAP Canada, a research foundation focused on biological solutions to climate change (1998-2008).
Presentation
Fundamental and transformative change is needed if Canada hopes to ever meet its 2050 targets. This means that we need to start thinking about more sustainable methods of transportation for both us and our goods, a more sustainable diet and way of life, and a more sustainable industrial system. However, many Canadians simply do not find the problem of climate change compelling enough to begin enacting real change in their lives, especially if this change requires increased costs. Thus, the question we must ask ourselves is: how can we present the issue of climate change so that Canadians begin acting and making the necessary changes?
One answer to this question is that perhaps discussions of climate change need to be expanded to include issues that the typical Canadian would find compelling, such as how transitioning away from a carbon-intensive economy can improve their level of comfort and convenience, can lower costs, and can lead to improved health. For example, the current personal mobility system has many flaws that negatively affect Canadians’ quality of life other than the fact that it results in greenhouse gas emissions. The dominant system leads to injury and death due to car accidents, stress and inefficiencies due to congestion, respiratory illnesses due to pollution, and high costs due to urban sprawl and the need for car ownership. Therefore, we need disruptive change, but directed disruption and disruption driven by a variety of issues rather than just climate change. There should be a focus on how transitioning to a less carbon-intensive system can not only solve climate change but can also improve people’s quality of life.
If we once again look at the example of our current personal mobility system, we can ask ourselves how this system can be transformed in a way that not only addresses climate change, but also improves people’s lives. The concept of “mobility-as-a-service” (MaaS) has the potential to do this. MaaS would include the implementation of autonomous but connected vehicles, car sharing, and the electrification of vehicles. This personal mobility system would result in more than technological change; it would lead to societal change through increased focus on creating people-focused communities rather than the current car-focused communities. In this way, moving forward there needs to be increased attention to methods by which we can connect people’s desires for quality of life with a low-carbon transformation.
If we are to succeed at this, we need to start building transition pathways. Building a transition pathway necessitates assessing where we are now, where we want to end up, planning our route, and getting moving. Furthermore, to ensure the success of our transition, our pathway must be credible, compelling, and capable of bringing us to our destination.
Alberta’s energy system: an overview
Alberta is a major oil producer, mostly for exports to external markets. However, in terms of domestic consumption of fossil fuels, Alberta produces 273 Mt CO2 equivalent/yr (as of 2017). Thus, how will Alberta meet Canada’s targets of reducing emissions 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050?
A significant portion of Alberta’s emissions are from the transportation sector (15%). Within this sector, Canada’s current policy approach has been focused on reducing the emissions that result from fossil-fuel production methods, an approach which ignores the fact that the majority of emissions are the result of the combustion of these fossil fuels and not their production. A more effective and sustainable approach would be to build a transportation system that consumed zero-emission fuels that Canada would be able to produce with little to no emissions.
Both battery and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are potential solutions to this. However, while batteries make sense for low-carbon grids and shorter trips, hydrogen fuel cells are a better solution if the grid is reliant upon high-carbon energy sources and for longer-distance and heavy-duty transportation. In light of current energy supply and demand in Alberta, a hydrogen economy may therefore be the solution that they need to effectively reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
A case for a hydrogen economy anchored by freight transport
There are several reasons why this transition to a hydrogen economy should be pursued. Recent advances in the technology means that hydrogen fuel cells are now a viable alternative and there is a broad realization that deep transformational change is needed to address climate change. Waiting for further technological advancements or greater climate change induced catastrophes are no longer options: we know the problem exists and we have solutions, we just need to use them.
The freight sector in Canada is a logical place to start this transition not only because of the massive amounts of energy that this sector consumes, but also because truckers generally use the same highways. Thus, installing the necessary re-fueling infrastructure would be much easier. In Canada, our energy system for the freight transportation sector is extremely carbon intensive. The diesel trucks that dominate the terrestrial aspects of this sector are heavy and expensive diesel consumers. It’s obvious that change is needed. In a new hydrogen economy, we could make hydrogen from natural gas and sequester the carbon, which would lower emissions and costs significantly. Electrolysis is another method of producing this hydrogen, however currently the prices are too high for this to be a feasible alternative.
This new energy system would work in all parts of Canada; however, it will likely begin in Alberta. This is because Alberta has a massive freight sector and the cost of hydrogen production in Alberta is actually less than the cost of diesel. This is therefore an opportunity for Alberta to be part of the solution and not just the problem.
CESAR is therefore working with the Albertan freight sector and innovative companies to build both the demand and supply of hydrogen and fueling stations and thus bring costs down so that it can compete with diesel. Through this work, CESAR and its partners aim to create a new, low carbon energy system in Alberta which can then grow into other jurisdictions along road, rail and pipeline corridors. As this new energy system grows, it will also change due to the fact that different hydrogen production methods make sense in different provinces. However, in Alberta and the rest of Canada, a clear pathway to achieve this hydrogen economy with well-defined steps needs to be set out and embarked upon if we hope to achieve our 2030 and 2050 targets.
Discussion
The discussion following Dr. Layzell’s presentation addressed a variety of topics. The first topic that emerged was questioning the benefits of remaining reliant upon unrenewable sources for hydrogen (e.g. natural gas). Though the ultimate goal would be to move to 100% renewable sources for hydrogen, in this initial transition period it makes sense to use existing sources of hydrogen to kick-start this new hydrogen economy. Though carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is not a long-term solution, it would allow us to control and manage emissions up-front as we make this transition. In fact, the cost of CCS is not as high as many assume it to be, especially considering the massive long-term health and well-being related benefits of removing diesel from our energy system.
The diversity of potential pathways was also discussed. In Alberta, the creation of hydrogen through fossil-fuels and then pursuing CCS is the most feasible short-term solution. This will give fossil fuel producers, who are feeling particularly alienated, an opportunity to keep contributing to Canada’s economy. In fact, this could potentially become a major Canadian export to overseas markets as well, several nations (e.g. Japan) are showing increased interest in purchasing hydrogen. However, all Canadian provinces are different and thus each jurisdiction should look for the solution that works best for it.
The role of policymakers in this future transition was also discussed. This transition will require significant initial investments and risk, and thus we need policymakers to have long-term visions and understand the importance of making this transition happen. However, this will require a suite of policy solutions. One important part of making this transition a reality is keeping this non-political. Moving towards a hydrogen economy should be presented as the logical solution, rather than a partisan policy.
Precis completed by Silke Popescu, MA Sustainable Energy student.