Hawaii Gas has announced a partnership with Canadian energy tech company Ayrton Energy to launch a new pilot project in early 2026 aimed at advancing hydrogen as a clean fuel for the islands. The project will focus on testing Ayrton's proprietary liquid organic hydrogen carrier (e-LOHC™) technology, designed to safely and efficiently store and transport hydrogen at room temperature. The collaboration seeks to explore whether this innovative method can address the challenges associated with storing and transporting hydrogen, ultimately making it a more practical and scalable energy solution for Hawaii. Nicolas Rodier, the executive director of clean energy and innovation at Hawaii Gas, highlighted the significance of this pilot project in bringing scalable hydrogen projects to life and continuing the decarbonization of the fuel supply in a safe and cost-effective manner. The CEO of Ayrton Energy, Natasha Kostenuk, emphasized that hydrogen's potential as a global energy solution hinges on overcoming storage and transportation obstacles, expressing optimism about their technology's ability to enhance accessibility where needed. Hawaii Gas, known for blending up to 15% hydrogen into synthetic natural gas on Oahu, is already making strides in integrating hydrogen into its energy mix. The upcoming pilot project, to be based at Hawaii Gas' facility on Oahu, is poised to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen as an energy source and could play a pivotal role in achieving Hawaii's ambitious climate goals. This initiative aligns with the company's broader efforts to embrace renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions, showcasing a commitment to innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.