The potential of hydrogen is transforming the renewable energy sector

We recently held our inaugural 'Investing in Hydrogen and the Global Energy Transition' conference to share insights on the impact of hydrogen on the clean energy sector. The two-day event brought together players from every part of the industry – investors, government, energy providers, tech companies and end-users – to gauge the potential of hydrogen to transform the economy. The event also featured keynote addresses from Mark Carney, Vice Chair and Head of ESG and Impact Fund Investing, Brookfield Asset Management, and Seamus O'Regan, Canadian Minister of National Resources.

“TD Securities plays a leading role globally in advising and financing sustainable transitions - including the hydrogen industry," says Drew MacIntyre, Vice Chair at TD Securities, who moderated one of our keynote panels. “We believe that hydrogen will play a meaningful role in the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and look forward to building on our position in the future.”

Key takeaways from the event include:

• Technology enablement: The target for hydrogen technology and energy transition is to lower or eliminate carbon emissions. This can come from many different sources, especially with green hydrogen in its relative infancy. Several companies presented products they have developed, or are developing, to help enable a broader hydrogen sector: fuel cells, electrolyzers and carbon capture technologies. As such, the potential for hydrogen to become a meaningful and cost-competitive part of the energy mix is much more viable.
• Infrastructure and investment support: Hydrogen production is not new, but the push to mainstream usage is coming rapidly. Frameworks for hydrogen-related investment are still being developed and the risk profile remains higher than other investment opportunities. Many investors are still looking to the government for subsidy and regulatory support. It's important to note, however, that government support, both in Canada and around the globe, is growing.
• Inclusivity: For Canada, our hydrogen strategy includes leveraging resources from coast to coast for a deliberately regional approach to reducing emissions, providing us a competitive advantage on the global stage. Oil and gas providers can be massive players in energy transition by leveraging existing infrastructure and sources for blue or grey hydrogen. On the flipside, clean tech companies are introducing new, innovative technologies and end-to-end processes into the market.