By Surbhi Gogia
Climate change is causing noticeable changes in weather patterns, which threaten food production, lead to catastrophic flooding from rising sea levels, and displace thousands of people and animals due to wildfires each year.
These changes signal a looming natural disaster for humanity. Now, more than ever, everyone, including CIMtech Green Energy, is searching for alternative energy sources to fight against climate change.
Dr. Paul Ghotra, founder, and CEO of CIMtech Green Energy Mfg Inc., is committed to developing and manufacturing technology for harnessing hydrogen power as an alternative energy source. Two decades ago, he envisioned a cleaner, greener future with hydrogen energy, even when climate change wasn’t a top priority.
Dr. Ghotra was born in Chandigarh, India, and his father aspired for him to become a trailblazer in engineering. However, his father passed away when Ghotra was young, strengthening his resolve to pursue engineering. He received his training in precision mechanics, instrumentation, and manufacturing engineering.
In 1988, he moved with his family to Prince Rupert, Canada, and relocated to Vancouver a year later. He became part of a prominent hi-tech company that grew from a small start-up with ten employees to a thriving organization with 5,000 employees.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Ghotra founded CIMtech to reduce carbon footprints. The company focuses on manufacturing electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cell assemblies.
Hydrogen is hailed as the “fuel of the future” due to its cleanliness. Fuel cells generate electricity, producing only water and heat as byproducts. Unlike fossil fuels that emit harmful pollutants and contribute to the greenhouse effect by releasing carbon dioxide, hydrogen is a zero-emission energy source, making it crucial for combating climate change.
Dr. Ghotra has several options for clean energy, including solar panels, wind energy, electric energy, and hydrogen energy. Solar and wind power show potential, but their effectiveness depends on location and consistency. Hydrogen and electric batteries are seen as alternatives. Dr. Ghotra notes that electric batteries, while widely used, face sustainability challenges due to pollution from mining and recycling. Additionally, commercial trucking with electric batteries, especially for long hauls, lacks a proven track record.
This leaves hydrogen as a compelling alternative. However, it can only be a sustainable solution if we produce green hydrogen, which means that when hydrogen is produced from water, the electricity used during the process is generated through dam water. “If we emit pollution while creating Hydrogen, what’s the point?”
CIMtech is at the forefront of green hydrogen technology. It has been committed to innovation and progress in Hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers for two decades. It recently expanded its operational capacity by acquiring a 10,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in BC.
CIMtech operates in three main areas: product development, global manufacturing, and client services. They’re leading the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in various applications, partnering with global giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot for hydrogen-powered forklifts and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Notable examples include HYVIA delivery vans in Europe (Renault Group) and FedEx airport tuggers at Albany International Airport. CIMtech also offers portable green hydrogen generators for both consumer and commercial use. They’re set to launch drone batteries for deliveries and defense. Dr. Ghotra’s innovations have earned global recognition, and CIMtech is listed among Canada’s Top 10 Manufacturing Companies.
Dr. Ghotra has received several prestigious awards, including the Indian Achievers Award 2022 for Business Leadership, Most Admired Global Indians 2022, and Canada’s Leading Manufacturing Engineering Expert of the Year 2023. The Surrey Board of Trade also honored him as Businessperson of the Year. Dr. Ghotra expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of CIMtech’s efforts in clean energy for the benefit of society and future generations, ensuring a cleaner environment for all.
Driven by a strong sense of duty to society and a deep commitment to combating climate change, Dr. Ghotra is determined to address the pressing issue of global warming. Climate change currently releases a staggering 30 billion tonnes of CO2 annually worldwide, pushing our planet toward a tipping point. With prolonged summers, devastating floods, and rapidly melting glaciers reshaping our ecosystems, Dr. Ghotra believes that the pledges made by world leaders to reverse global warming by 2050 only delay the inevitable. He insists that substantial, transformative changes are needed on a global scale. Dr. Ghotra acknowledges that while the world is slowly embracing hydrogen energy, there’s still a long road ahead. Massive infrastructure is required to produce hydrogen on a mass scale and make it cost-effective.
Over the past 15 years, CIMtech has offered manufacturing services covering scaled production to proof of concept. Their full turnkey solutions are instrumental in driving the development and manufacturing of this technology. With in-house rapid prototyping, testing, certification services, and engineering from concept design to production launch, CIMtech provides end-to-end solutions. Additionally, their global network of strategic partners ensures customers receive high-quality products, delivered punctually, and at competitive prices.
