The Environment & Trade track presentations delve into the pivotal role of hydrogen in advancing decarbonization, safety, and sustainability across industries. Topics include the business case for adopting hydrogen in heavy freight, cross-border opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, and critical safety regulations for infrastructure in North America. Innovative approaches such as using HBI as an alternative hydrogen carrier, integrating low-carbon hydrogen into multi-regional gas systems, and optimizing green maritime transport are explored. The discussions emphasize fostering Indigenous participation in the hydrogen value chain, partnership-driven solutions for sustainable community development, and the role of mixed technologies in improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in urban transit systems.

The Production track presentations focus on advancing hydrogen production technologies and optimizing systems to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Key topics include innovations in electrolyzer power supplies, such as PEM and AEM advancements for large-scale deployment, and cutting-edge approaches like methane pyrolysis and photocatalysis for green hydrogen. Discussions also highlight cost-effective solutions for carbon capture, inherently safer design concepts for hydrogen systems, and the integration of clean ammonia production and transport into the hydrogen economy. Case studies and best practices, including Ekona's methane pyrolysis journey and JM’s LCH™ technology, explore scalable solutions for global decarbonization. Additional focus areas include small-scale ammonia production systems, pipeline transport options, and the role of hybrid models in troubleshooting and optimizing industrial hydrogen generation. This track emphasizes innovation and collaboration to expand hydrogen’s role in sustainable energy systems worldwide.

The Transmission, Distribution & Storage track presentations focus on advancing hydrogen infrastructure to support the growing hydrogen economy, emphasizing storage, delivery, and integration into existing systems. Key topics include hydrogen blending in natural gas networks, with insights into material compatibility, fracture toughness evaluation, and technical challenges addressed in the Enbridge Gaz Quebec network. Innovations in pipeline design, real-time AI-driven leak detection, and monitoring strategies for hydrogen and CO2 pipelines are highlighted, alongside best practices for hydrogen blending and accurate metering for custody transfer. Discussions explore scalable hydrogen fueling networks, underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns, and the decarbonization of natural gas compressor stations using methane pyrolysis. Emerging technologies, such as AI-assisted sensing systems and versatile testing platforms for hydrogen components, showcase progress in ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency in hydrogen midstream infrastructure. Lessons from pipeline repurposing and field trials provide valuable insights for accelerating hydrogen adoption.

The End User track presentations highlight hydrogen’s integration into transportation, infrastructure, and industrial applications, focusing on innovation and decarbonization. Topics include advancements in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for heavy-duty transport, retrofitted hydrogen-diesel solutions, and the deployment of hydrogen truck fleets. Comparisons of hydrogen fuel cell and internal combustion engines, as well as hydrogen’s role in decarbonizing government fleets and industrial facilities, provide valuable insights. Infrastructure discussions cover refueling station optimization, hydrogen corridors for trucking, and lessons from converting boilers and process heating systems. Novel applications, such as hydrogen logistics for space tourism and 100% hydrogen industrial heaters, showcase hydrogen’s versatility. Technical advancements in methane pyrolysis, deep learning for combustor safety, and evaluating hydrogen for space heating further underscore its potential to drive sustainability.