SFU-Ballard partnership driving green solutions

The prospect of Canada supplying hydrogen to countries like Germany resonates with many of SFU professor Erik Kjeang’s students on the path to becoming clean energy engineers.

Kjeang, a researcher in SFU Surrey’s School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, began a formal collaboration with Ballard Power Systems over a decade ago. The relationship has since provided first-hand experiences for more than 50 students. Many are now employed by Ballard.

Yadvinder Singh, who completed graduate work on improving the durability of hydrogen-based fuel cell power systems, is among benefactors. “Working in state-of-the-art research and analytical facilities, the industry-relevant nature of my research has enabled me to advance my career in the clean energy sector,” says Singh, now a research scientist at Ballard.

“I am directly applying my skills and training towards developing commercial zero-emission fuel cell products that are helping to address the major environmental challenges of the day.”

The SFU-Ballard partnership has been sustained through a variety of projects, including two major Automotive Partnership Canada funded projects with a combined value of $11 million. SFU Surrey has since become home to world-leading, state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cell themed research labs.

“A key outcome to date has been the contribution of this research to enhancing the durability of zero-emission fuel cell systems for heavy duty vehicles such as buses and trucks, which can also be leveraged for rail and marine applications, as well as stationary distributed power generation,” says Kjeang.

“Hydrogen energy is considered an important part of Canada’s decarbonization efforts and net-zero emissions goals, and our research contributes to fulfilling the ambitions of the national and provincial hydrogen strategies.”