ATCO, Kansai Electric to pursue clean fuels to Japan

Canadian utility group ATCO and Japan’s Kansai Electric Power said April 6 they would collaborate to develop an integrated clean fuels supply chain between Canada and Japan.

The two have already completed a pre-feasibility study to produce clean hydrogen and its derivatives in Canada, with end products destined for export to Japan.

“ATCO recognises there is a significant opportunity for Canada to become a supplier of clean fuels in addition to our nation’s existing energy exports," said James Powell, ATCO’s vice president, energy infrastructure and clean fuels. “Together with Kansai, we are eager to complete feasibility work and build consensus for this new decarbonisation opportunity.”

Clean hydrogen would be produced from natural gas using auto thermal reforming with carbon capture and storage in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland near Edmonton.