2025 Winners

The Hydrogen Digital Innovator Award recognizes novel digital technologies advancing the hydrogen industry. All technologies in this category should be at stages of initial production and rollout, full production mode, or commercial (postpilot stage). This category is open to digital technology concepts that are less than five years old and are considered “game changers” in the energy industry.

Winner is:

TOSSA Sustainability Services Inc.

In the shift towards clean energy, processes, and operations, hydrogen has emerged as a key solution in combating climate change and achieving net-zero targets. However, the hydrogen industry still faces environmental and sustainability challenges.  A current and urgent challenge for the industry is the availability of tools that enable evidence-based decision-making to derive optimal ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) and sustainability strategies to balance productivity, economics, emissions, growth and social acceptability.   TOSSA, is an innovative automated cloud-based digital tool designed to revolutionize sustainability assessment across various industries including the hydrogen sector. Central to its functionality is life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), a method that assesses environmental, economic and social impacts of products, services and processes along their entire life cycle, following relevant ISO standards. Our technology provides automated ESG and sustainability assessment for hydrogen products/technology/corporate operations as well as directions to adjust those operations optimizing their outcomes. Our solution enables companies, decision struggling -makers, technology developers and policy-makers in the hydrogen industry especially those who work with assessing environmental, economic and social impacts to pinpoint hotspots and select options that will result in improved sustainability and ESG outcomes. This could lead to better corporate/industry image, greater investment, and adaptation to cleaner operations.

Honourable Mention: 

EnviroApps Inc.

EnviroApps is streamlining compliance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations by digitizing TDG shipping documents for hydrogen transport. This not only reduces paper waste but also enhances safety, ensures compliance, lowers costs, and simplifies ESG data collection. Every year, over 30 million TDG movements occur across Canada, each carrying potential risks to human life and the environment. TDG regulations were designed to prioritize public safety, requiring that shipping documents travel with dangerous goods. However, paper-based compliance can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors. For nearly 40 years, the industry has relied on paper TDG shipping documents, but digital solutions offer a better way. Digital documents can be accessed instantly from multiple devices, allowing drivers to focus on safety and enabling first responders to receive clear, accurate information in emergencies. Transport Canada’s TDG blitz identified inaccurate shipping papers as a top compliance issue, prompting support for digital adoption through the Regulatory Sandbox Project. EnviroApps' digital TDG shipping documents improve safety, compliance, and efficiency for hydrogen transport. By eliminating paper-based updates, companies can seamlessly manage fueling records and ensure full TDGR compliance while reducing risks for first responders.

The Hydrogen Technology: Equipment or Process Controls Award recognizes highly disruptive innovations in equipment that have had a major impact on hydrogen efficiency, emissions, economics, scheduling, or quality. This category also acknowledges products or services specific to controls that make a positive impact to the hydrogen industry. All technologies in this category should be at either: initial production and rollout, full production mode, or commercial (post-pilot). If the underlying solution is digital, it should be submitted under the Hydrogen Digital Innovator Award category.

Winner is:

Golu Hydrogen Technologies Inc.

Modular, On-Site, Carbon-Negative Renewable Hydrogen Generation

Hydrogen is difficult to source, purify, transfer, and store. Golu has solved these costs with on-site production- Hydrogen where and when it is needed. Golu-H2 is the world’s first technology converting readily available, abundant renewable ethanol to Hydrogen, with the highest efficiency of any hydrogen process today. Ethanol and Water is converted to Fuel Cell Grade Hydrogen, while simultaneously capturing atmospheric Biogenic Food-grade CO2 as a co-product. With the high efficiency and CO2 capture, Golu units are ideal for energy storage as well. Our commercial units generate 1MW or 26MWh/day in a compact, 40ft container. The overall power density when attached to a fuel cell for power generation is 3.6kWh/kg, while capturing atmospheric CO2.

Honourable Mention: 

Next Hydrogen

Next Hydrogen's Patented Integrated Gas-Liquid Separator Electrolyser Module Design

Next Hydrogen electrolyser module’s groundbreaking features, such as integral gas-liquid separation and independent fluid flow paths in each half cell, create significant benefits including: • High fluid flow rates, i.e., high production rates • Reduced complexity by eliminating common internal manifolds and external piping • “Smart”, self-regulating fluid flows that eliminate costly electrolyte pumps • Inherent scalability, enabling modularity and improved reliability • Small footprint, weight, and height allow high outputs from compact units.

The Hydrogen Project Award recognizes small, medium, and large-scale projects globally. Projects in this category will be judged on technological advancement and impact on the community. All projects entered will need to be either completed within the 2023/2024 time period or will be projected to be completed or advanced planning stage by the end of 2024 in order to be considered.

Winner is:

ATCO EnPower

ATCO EnPower spearheaded the design and construction of two hydrogen production and fueling facilities for CPKC. These facilities featured the installation of 1MW PEM Electrolyzers for hydrogen production, along with compression, storage, and dispensing equipment to refuel CPKC's hydrogen fuel cell locomotives and tender cars located in Edmonton and Calgary.

Honourable Mention: 

EverWind Fuels

EverWind is North America's leading independent green hydrogen developer. EverWind received the first Environmental Approval in North America for a large-scale green hydrogen project, and is well progressed in design, engineering, and development for the first phase of both its green energy generation projects and the production facility which will convert this energy into green hydrogen and green ammonia. EverWind owns and operates the deepest ice-free berth on the East Coast of North America, with world-class access to rail, roads, and pipelines. Our safety-first culture, evidenced through 19 years without a lost time injury, reflects a highly skilled and extensively certified workforce.  EverWind has three First Nations equity partners and is a champion for meaningful engagement with Rightsholders and the advancement of social and economic reconciliation. At a local level, the Company works closely with municipalities and stakeholder organizations.  EverWind is concurrently developing a world-scale green fuels project on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland & Labrador. This project will be critical in delivering the scale and competitive wind resource required to support the green energy transition ambitions of some of the largest industrial companies in the world. EverWind continues to engage with communities and stakeholders on the Burin Peninsula and work closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure the economic, social, and environmental prosperity of the region for generations to come.

The Hydrogen Early Adopter Award honors trailblazers in climate action who have shown outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing hydrogen solutions. This esteemed award recognizes organizations at the forefront of hydrogen adoption, celebrating those that have invested in pilot or groundbreaking demonstration projects within industrial or commercial settings. By championing hydrogen’s commercial potential, these pioneers are helping to shape a more sustainable future. 

Winner is:

City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is advancing multiple projects to reduce fleet and facility emissions, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040. The Alberta Zero Emissions Fleet Fueling Project is developing a scalable hydrogen fueling system to accelerate sustainable fuel adoption. It includes testing a hydrogen vehicle with on-road emissions monitoring and creating an operational plan for infrastructure, workforce training, and fleet transition. The Alberta Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit (AZEHT) Project continues testing fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) in winter conditions while refining a long-term fleet transition plan. It includes ongoing FCEB operations at ETS and Strathcona County Transit, data analysis by the Transition Accelerator, and a final report summarizing performance, GHG reductions, and scale-up potential. Alberta’s Commercialization and Hydrogen Infrastructure Strategy will also be finalized. The eCamion Energy Storage System Pilot at the Kathleen Andrews Transit Garage focuses on reducing transit emissions and improving energy efficiency. In 2025, it will deploy a pilot battery storage system, integrate solar PV panels, and enhance bus charging capacity while optimizing electricity use. The Zero Emission Fleet Program supports the safe deployment of light, medium, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, accelerating Edmonton’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable fleet.

Honourable Mention: 

ATCO Gas and Pipelines/Qualico Communities
This groundbreaking project exemplifies Qualico and ATCO's dedication to innovative energy solutions and economic growth within Alberta. While hardly unusual or noteworthy from the outside, HomeOne is a milestone years in the making, following intensive research and studies.   HomeOne serves as a model of the hydrogen-heated homes planned in Qualico's 100% hydrogen-heated community in Strathcona County in partnership with ATCO before breaking ground. The house can be found in Sherwood Park, within Qualico's established SummerWood community. It showcases how comfort, beauty, and efficiency can come together seamlessly.  HomeOne is a proof point for the future of low-carbon residential heating and is an essential step in designing and building large-scale, hydrogen-heated communities here in Alberta.

The Emerging Hydrogen Leader Award acknowledges an up-and-coming individual whose efforts have already made a significant contribution to their organization, industry or community that go above and beyond their normal day to day duties. The nominee should stand out in terms of strategic thinking, leadership, community involvement and the pursuit of excellence in their field. The nominees in this category will have been in the energy industry for 10 or less years. Self-nominations are permitted in this category.

Winner is:

Tahrim Alam, Senior Metallurgical Engineer, Enbridge Gaz Québec

Tahrim is a leading expert in the field of gas network materials compatibility, particularly with natural gas-hydrogen blends. With a steadfast dedication to safety and optimal performance, Tahrim has spearheaded significant advancements in demonstrating the suitability of gas networks for hydrogen blending at high concentrations. This groundbreaking work is unique globally in terms of scope and size, driving sustainable energy practices and securing Enbridge Gaz Quebec’s future in a regulatory environment that promotes decarbonization.  Currently, Tahrim is at the forefront of the Hydrogen Blending project at Enbridge Gaz Quebec, focusing on asset compatibility. This initiative is positioned to create future opportunities and establish Enbridge Gaz Quebec as a leader in sustainable energy practices. In addition to his project leadership, Tahrim is actively involved with several influential Code Committees and Joint Industry Projects (JIPs), including the CSA Work Group, PRCI, and HyBlend. He leads pioneering testing projects, such as thin-walled steel pipe testing under distribution conditions and assessing the hydrogen compatibility of cast iron assets, efforts that have the potential to benefit the entire industry.  In 2024, Tahrim published four journal papers in esteemed publications like the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy and presented his research at major international conferences, including CGA and ISOPE. His work addresses critical gaps in the transition to a safe and reliable hydrogen economy, positioning him as a leader in advancing sustainable energy solutions.  Tahrim’s unique combination of expertise, dedication, and leadership makes him an invaluable asset to the industry, driving innovation and setting benchmarks for safety and sustainability in the transition to a low-carbon energy future.

Honourable Mention:

Greg Vezina, Chairman and CEO, Hydrofuel Canada Inc.

President and CEO of Hydrofuel Canada Inc. Founded Hydrofuel Canada Inc. in 2011 and its predecessor Canadian Alternative Energy Corporation (CAEC) in 1980. In 1981, Greg drove an ammonia-powered Chevrolet Impala across Canada from Edmonton to Toronto via Ottawa and Montreal, arriving on Parliament Hill for a press conference on Nov. 5, 1981, organized by then Governor General Ed Schreyer, where then Energy Minister, Marc Lalonde, drove the car for the media. Greg has focused on building a technology development company that specializes in ammonia and hydrogen generation as well as ammonia fuelling technologies for internal combustion engines including heavy duty vehicles and stationary engines, and he is the co-author Ammonia Energy Technologies", the first to cover all aspects of using ammonia for energy - from production to last use. The company licensed a patented Micro Ammonia Production System technology from Georgia Tech with commercial scale development completed at Colorado State, and is also developing and patenting more than a dozen photochemical technologies with the University of Toronto to replace thermal and electrochemical use with zero emissions.

The Hydrogen Leader of the Year Award acknowledges an individual whose efforts have made a significant contribution to their organization, industry or community that go above and beyond their normal day to day duties. The nominee should stand out in terms of strategic thinking, leadership, community involvement and the pursuit of excellence in their field. The nominees in this category will have been in the energy industry for 10 or more years. Self-nominations are permitted in this category.

Winner is:

Rebecca Goldsack, COO, Diesel Tech Industries     

Rebecca Goldsack, COO of Diesel Tech Industries (DTI), leads innovative efforts to integrate hydrogen technology into dual-fuel systems for the commercial transportation sector. Her strategic leadership has positioned DTI as a pioneer in advancing the hydrogen economy in Canada. As Chair of Hydrogen Alberta under the Canadian Hydrogen Association, Rebecca advocates for expanding hydrogen infrastructure and adoption nationwide. She has also made two mission trips to Ottawa to advance policies aimed at reducing the cost of hydrogen for industries and consumers.

Honourable Mention:

Brent Lakeman, Executive Director, Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub

Brent has been leading clean energy initiatives within Alberta for over three decades. His knowledge of Alberta’s innovation ecosystem and experience in forging industry-government partnerships will help position the Edmonton Metropolitan Region as Canada’s preeminent net zero hydrogen hub.