Empowered by Clean Growth Innovation Fund, VulcanX Advances Hydrogen Technology

FortisBC Energy is working with VulcanX on the development of hydrogen pyrolysis technology that could see zero-emission hydrogen and solid carbon produced from natural gas at a low cost.

The regulated utility, which serves more than one million customers across British Columbia, is funding local upstart VulcanX through the Clean Growth Innovation Fund.

“We are pleased to work with companies such as VulcanX through the Clean Growth Innovation Fund,” stated Joe Mazzia, vice president of energy supply and resource development at FortisBC, “to advance the development of new technologies that can be used for the production of hydrogen.”

“We believe that hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in a lower-carbon energy future and can help meet the energy needs of British Columbians while supporting the goals of the province’s CleanBC strategy,” Mazza added.

Spun out from MéridaLabs at the University of British Columbia, VulcanX is innovating hydrogen production through technological means.

“Technology innovation can empower B.C., Canada, and the world to achieve our emission reduction targets—and do so economically,” believes Dr. Omar Herrera, CEO of VulcanX. “FortisBC is putting words into action by supporting us via the Clean Growth Innovation Fund; we at VulcanX cannot wait to get this project started.”

VulcanX developed the technology to separate natural gas into its components of hydrogen and solid carbon, with technology currently being tested at a demonstration facility in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

“Collaborative relationships between innovative companies like VulcanX and FortisBC are helping to drive B.C.’s growing clean energy sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “It’s exciting to see collaborations underway within the sector that are reducing emissions and creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for British Columbians.”

VulcanX was a round three finalist in the 2024 New Ventures BC Competition this year and recently received a $75,000 non-dilutive investment from the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy. The startup also joined the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator, which helps seed-stage clean-tech startups from around the world achieve technical and commercial milestones.