Developing BC’s Hydrogen Hub
To help Canada reach its emission goals, HTEC is building a hydrogen transportation hub starting in BC. With over 20 years in operation, HTEC is leveraging its expertise and scaling up on its existing projects to develop hydrogen supply and demand simultaneously.
With an operational network of light-duty fueling stations and hydrogen passenger vehicles on BC roads, we’re developing the Metro Vancouver Hydrogen Transportation Hub – bringing hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and end-use together in one region.
Our nearly completed clean hydrogen production facility, powered by renewable energy, will support both the existing station network and new heavy-duty hydrogen fueling sites, with the first becoming operational later this year. To help fleets make the shift, HTEC has launched the Vehicle Leasing Corporation, putting hydrogen fuel cell trucks into the hands of local operators
All these initiatives are powered by a team of experts spanning the hydrogen value chain and committed to building a cleaner future for BC. In this blog, we’re spotlighting some of our incredible team members behind the development of our hydrogen innovations – people who are making clean hydrogen more accessible across BC.
Meet some of our amazing people Behind the Projects
Kai Ling Phon, Senior Process Engineer
Kai Ling is the lead process engineer for HTEC’s Burnaby Clean Hydrogen Production Facility, where electrolysis technology will be used to produce clean hydrogen. In addition to her role as lead process engineer, Kai Ling also serves as the project engineer, steering the engineering team through both the construction and commissioning phases.
“Watching a project evolve from concept to completion is incredibly fulfilling—especially knowing I played a key role in bringing it to life,” says Kai Ling.
Her leadership is instrumental in delivering British Columbia’s first at-scale electrolyzer facility, a critical part of the region’s emerging hydrogen hub.
Kai Ling graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and began her career at a full-service engineering firm in Toronto, serving the oil and gas industry as a process engineer for nearly nine years. Her journey then led her to British Columbia, where she transitioned into the hydrogen sector, bringing her deep expertise from oil and gas to help build a low-carbon future with HTEC.
Today, Kai Ling is not only a leader in clean energy innovation but also a full-time working mom who finds joy and balance in both her career and motherhood. Her favourite thing to do is spend time with her son. “Whether we’re reading bedtime stories or just chatting about his day, those moments are my heart’s reset button,” she shares. “He reminds me to be present, curious, and playful.”
Lucie Sedlackova, Mechanical Engineer Team Lead
Lucie leads HTEC’s Mechanical Engineering team, guiding the development of hydrogen infrastructure—including projects like our first heavy-duty hydrogen fueling station in Tsawwassen. “My favorite part about my role is my team,” Lucie shares. “They’re incredibly talented and hardworking, but we also have fun.” Through her leadership and dedication to developing hydrogen fueling stations, Lucie is playing a key role in HTEC’s deployment of the BC Hydrogen Hub. This initiative is expanding access to clean hydrogen fuel across multiple communities in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and Kelowna—accelerating the transition to a more sustainable transportation future.
Lucie studied Aerospace Engineering at the Brunel University of London but found herself primarily working in Mechanical Engineering. She worked at Jaguar Land Rover in the UK before moving to Canada. She entered the hydrogen industry at Loop Energy in Vancouver. After six years at Loop, Lucie joined HTEC where she now has over eight years in the hydrogen sector.
When Lucie isn’t leading her team of engineers you can find her on a bike whether that’s gravel, road, track, mountain, or downhill – just anything with two wheels. She also loves spending time with her two cats.
Laura Quinlan, Project Manager
Laura is HTEC’s Business Development Project Manager. Over the past two years at HTEC, Laura has been responsible for the execution of our BC Hydrogen Ports and BC Hydrogen Pilot Truck Projects as well as the RTG Crane project among other endeavours. Not only does Laura manage several of our transportation projects, but she is now moving towards the generation of projects within our new Business Development unit. “One of my favourite things about my role at HTEC is seeing the tangible progress,” says Laura, “It has been rewarding to see vehicles on the road such as our Hyundai Xcient and Unilia-Refire Class 7 Fuel Cell electric trucks.” As HTEC develops a hydrogen transportation hub in BC, Laura is supporting its success by driving adoption and facilitating end-use integration, helping turn the vision into reality.
Laura studied Chemical Engineering, graduating with a master’s degree from the University of Surrey, before joining Air Products Industrial Gas. Laura has experience in project management, supply chain management and process engineering. In 2023, Laura moved to Canada, wanting to start a career where she could help build a sustainable future, and apply her technical knowledge. Luckily for us, HTEC aligns with these goals.
Outside of work, Laura stays active by hiking some of BC’s stunning mountain trails and enjoys discovering new restaurants as she explores Vancouver’s vibrant food scene.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the incredible team members leading groundbreaking work. As Canada’s leading hydrogen technology company, and the only one to deploy a network of hydrogen fueling stations, we bring unmatched experience and insight. Our lessons learned and technical know-how are