Women Making a Difference - Rebecca Goldsack
Rebecca Goldsack, Chief Operating Officer of Edmonton-based Diesel Tech Industries, reveals the company’s transformative journey and the dual-fuel engine technology they’ve developed in their pursuit of finding a sustainable solution to help companies reduce their carbon footprint.
tl;dr
Adaptation and Innovation: Diesel Tech Industries evolved from a truck repair shop to focus on eco-friendly solutions, led by Goldsack who has been integral in the company’s shift towards hydrogen energy.
Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System: Introduced a Dual Fuel Technology that retrofits diesel engines with hydrogen capability, offering a cost-effective decarbonization solution and alleviating range anxiety.
Diesel Tech Industries' Rebecca Goldsack Talks Innovation and Sustainability
Diesel Tech Industries began as a truck repair shop, but throughout the years the company has continued to adapt. Goldsack, who has been with the family-run company since 2009 and rose through its ranks to her current role overseeing operations, has had a front-row seat to its evolution from its humble beginnings to one committed to supporting eco-friendly solutions in the transportation industry.
“Our model has always been to take what we know best and create solutions that meet a need in the market,” says Goldack. “It’s about being responsive and innovative.”
The company’s shift in focus to hydrogen energy was a natural move, Goldsack notes, especially as the Edmonton region has become a hub for hydrogen technology and innovation.That pivot led to the birth of the Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System, a Dual Fuel Technology, an innovative system that allows existing diesel engines to be retrofitted with a bolt-on solution, providing a cost-effective means of decarbonization for fleets. The company now boasts more than 16,000 Guardian products sold world wide.
"The biggest motivator that we're seeing in the industry is that they can keep their existing assets,” says Goldsack. “It’s an efficient solution for companies looking to transition their fleets.”
Providing a dual fuel system also helps alleviate range anxiety. “With dual fuel technology, you’re adding an energy source, so you have a longer range than you would with just a traditional diesel engine,” Goldsack says. “That’s crucial because it means if hydrogen isn’t available in your destination, for example, there is no impact to your logistics.”
Providing that peace of mind, and allowing companies to retrofit their existing fleets, means more companies within the industry are beginning that transition. Ultimately, says Goldsack, it’s a key step toward decarbonization efforts.
“We need to take small steps, and we’re helping companies do that,” she says. “We’re not going to get to net-zero overnight, so this is that bridge technology to help us get there until hydrogen is much more commonplace.”
Despite the recent progress, challenges do remain, chief among them the cost of hydrogen. However, Goldsack says she is optimistic that as the technology continues to evolve and become more widely adopted, it will become more accessible. “There is so much support for this technology in the Edmonton region,” she says. “That collaborative spirit among stakeholders, suppliers, regulators and government agencies is pushing us toward a common goal.”
More From Issue 22: The Hydrogen Revolution
