Samuel McDermott is an experienced professional in the hydrogen energy sector. He currently serves as the Technical Manager of hydrogen at Enbridge Gas. For over five years, he has managed the company’s power-to-gas and Renewable Hydrogen portfolio, driving innovation and sustainability in Ontario’s energy landscape. Before this, he spent three years as a Specialist at Enbridge Gas, where he played a key role in developing the company’s Power-to-Gas program.
In an interview with Energy Business Review Canada, McDermott discusses his leadership in hydrogen innovation, the impact of power-to-gas technology and the role of strategic partnerships in advancing renewable energy.
A Journey of Innovation and Leadership
I have spent nearly two decades at Enbridge Gas, playing a pivotal role in shaping our hydrogen strategy. With a background in engineering operations and project management, my journey has been defined by a commitment to innovation, culminating in developing some of North America’s first hydrogen systems. Recognizing the transformative potential of hydrogen, I was instrumental in launching our first power-to-gas facility in 2018— a landmark project that continues to set industry benchmarks.
Hydrogen is still in its early stages, but we at Enbridge have never shied away from innovation. One of the key lessons we have learned is that success in hydrogen requires perseverance and strong leadership support. Our company has fully committed to integrating hydrogen into our energy solutions, ensuring our efforts are not isolated but part of a broader corporate strategy.
Setting Industry Firsts: Power-to-Gas and Hydrogen Blending
In 2018, we took a bold step by launching North America’s first power-to-gas facility. The two-and-a-half-megawatt system, capable of producing over 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen daily, was designed to support Ontario’s electrical grid by balancing frequency at 60 Hertz. Europe had several power-to-gas systems, but none exceeded one megawatt, making our facility the largest globally.
Innovation must go hand in hand with financial sustainability. At the end of the day, if a company isn’t profitable, it won’t survive.
Building on this success, we introduced another first in 2021 with a hydrogen blending pilot. This five-year project integrates hydrogen into the natural gas grid to reduce carbon emissions, setting a precedent for decarbonization strategies across the energy sector. Importantly, this project reflects Enbridge’s commitment to innovation at the highest levels, as executing hydrogen initiatives requires significant buy-in from leadership and a corporate culture that embraces forward-thinking solutions.
Expanding Partnerships and Advancing Decarbonization
Collaboration has been key to our hydrogen success. In 2023, we partnered with a German firm to address the challenge of securing a steady hydrogen supply. By leveraging our pipeline infrastructure, we ensured continuous system operation, enabling the development of a highly flexible combined heat and power system. Capable of running on natural gas, hydrogen or a blend of both, this technology eliminates carbon emissions while significantly reducing electrical and heating loads.
Beyond these projects, we are actively engaging with industries seeking to decarbonize. Hydrogen is essential in sectors where electrification is not feasible, such as ammonia production and fertilizer manufacturing. Many companies are approaching us to explore hydrogen-based solutions for industrial applications that cannot rely solely on electrification. Additionally, businesses using diesel or heavy oil for backup power evaluate hydrogen as a cleaner alternative.
Hydrogen’s Role in Grid Stability and Energy Transition
Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a solution for stabilizing power grids. A prime example is Ontario’s recent call for 8,000 megawatts of frequency regulation—a demand that aligns with our early power-to-gas initiatives. Frequency regulation is critical to maintaining a stable power supply, ensuring electrical systems remain at 60 Hertz to prevent disruptions. The ability of hydrogen to provide quick-response energy balancing makes it an attractive option for grid operators and industries reliant on clean, consistent power.
Moreover, hydrogen is vital in addressing industrial processes that cannot be easily electrified. Many companies seek decarbonization strategies and hydrogen offers a viable solution for hard-to-abate sectors. Whether through blending into existing gas grids or replacing traditional fuels, hydrogen is expanding its role in the energy landscape.
Bold Thinking and Smart Decisions: Advice for Organizations
If there’s one advice I would give, it’s to be bold and smart. The traditional way of doing things isn’t to cut in this rapidly evolving energy landscape. We must think differently because the usual regulatory frameworks governing the energy sector don’t always apply to hydrogen. At the same time, businesses must make smart decisions—innovation must go hand in hand with financial sustainability. At the end of the day, if a company isn’t profitable, it won’t survive.
Thinking long-term is critical. Some changes won’t happen overnight, but customers will return if we focus on delivering good service, ensuring safety and reliability and maintaining high-quality standards. In the energy sector, trust is everything. When I ask people when their gas grid last went down, most don’t know—because it rarely does. That’s the level of reliability we strive for and we’re working to ensure hydrogen follows the same standard. Our goal at Enbridge is to replicate the success of the gas grid with hydrogen. We may not be there yet, but we’re committed to getting there, setting the bar high and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.
The best marketing isn’t an ad—it’s a satisfied customer telling others about their positive experience. We aim to achieve that at Enbridge, which will drive hydrogen adoption forward.
