The University of Alberta is partnering with the City of Edmonton and Diesel Tech Industries to cut carbon emissions from Edmonton’s fleet of diesel-powered buses by integrating hydrogen fuel into existing combustion engines.
The initiative focuses on developing a practical retrofit approach to help transit agencies and other vehicle operators reduce emissions quickly without waiting for full fleet replacement. Project leaders say that if the pilot succeeds, the work could translate into a deployable solution for operators across Canada seeking near-term carbon reductions while maintaining current diesel assets.
Researchers will study both hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel combustion and 100 per cent hydrogen combustion, with testing and development taking place in the Mechanical Engineering Energy Control Lab. A core objective is increasing the share of hydrogen that can replace diesel while maintaining reliable performance. To do that, the team plans to develop new control strategies designed to manage the higher combustion temperatures associated with hydrogen and to examine how these engines perform across different operating conditions, including potential emissions impacts.
The project also includes a training component to build clean-technology expertise. Engineers-in-training are expected to participate in hands-on research and academic thesis work on hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel systems, aligning workforce development with the pilot’s technical goals.
Diesel Tech Industries will draw on the university’s experience in machine learning-based control and diagnostics to design and produce retrofit kits for Edmonton’s buses. If proven in service, the kits could be offered more broadly to support other fleet operators seeking a transition path toward lower-emissions transportation, in line with Alberta’s Hydrogen Roadmap goals.
Funding for the collaboration includes support through an NSERC Alliance partnership with the City of Edmonton as well as a grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta.
KEY QUOTES
“We’re also investing in the next generation of clean-tech leaders. Engineers-in-training will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research and write their theses on hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel technology.”
David Gordon, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta
