Canada’s Hydrogen Future: Innovations, Policies, and Global Perspectives

Canada has the essential elements to develop a sustainable hydrogen (H2) economy, including abundant feedstock, a strong energy sector, and international partnerships. The country’s climate commitments, financial incentives, and expertise position it as a leader in pursuing net-zero goals. However, a comprehensive framework is needed to integrate H2 storage technologies, industrial applications, research and development (R&D), regulations, and international collaborations. This review paper presents a detailed assessment of H2 storage methods, their applications, and key end-users in Canada. The application across various domains is examined in detail, including its role as a fuel (e.g., electricity generation and transportation), a heat source (e.g., buildings and industrial processes), and a feedstock (e.g., the oil and gas sectors and synthetic fuel production). The regulatory and policy frameworks that shape Canada’s H2 economy are analyzed, with a focus on key initiatives, funding programs, and their associated opportunities and challenges. R&D needs are highlighted, focusing on current R&D activities, key priorities, and areas for future investments. The contributions of public-private partnerships in advancing H2 R&D in conjunction with contributions from research centers and universities across Canada are considered. Key findings and insights are categorized, and the prospects for H2 energy in Canada’s future are discussed. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to support the continued development and implementation of H2 energy solutions. In addition, the strategies and objectives of the H2 short-, medium-, and long-term plans are presented with highlights of the provincial strategies. International collaborations and case studies are discussed, and insights into global practices and their applications in Canada are provided.