On November 30, WaterSMART published a report on the importance of water in the development of the hydrogen economy. This topic is most applicable to water stressed regions that have visions for large scale hydrogen production. To date, limited research had been published on this topic. This paper reviews the water demands for three of the most likely methods for producing hydrogen on a large scale. It also explores the case study of future hydrogen production in Alberta and discusses the projected water demands that will likely require tradeoffs with existing water consuming sectors in the province. In short, the study concludes that water resources should be carefully considered in Alberta and other water stressed regions when planning the transition to a hydrogen future. As mentioned, this is a first iteration in the exploration of this topic. Feedback and collaboration from industry, researchers, and stakeholders is strongly encouraged.
Download the full report here: Water for the Hydrogen Economy_WaterSMART Whitepaper_November 2020