July 3, 2024 Calgary, Alberta Natural Resources Canada
As nations globally move to reduce carbon emissions and shift to non-emitting forms of energy, investing in advanced technologies will help ensure Canada remains a global energy leader. Through and beyond the energy transition that is already well underway, ultra-low carbon sources of energy such as wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power will be key to seizing the enormous economic opportunities that are available to Canadians in all regions of the country.
It is in this context that federal, provincial and territorial ministers are meeting in Calgary, Alberta, from July 3 to July 5, 2024, at the annual Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference, to share perspectives and continue driving momentum in the energy and mining sectors.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $11 million in funding for nine energy technology projects - $2.5 million in funding for small modular reactor research and $8.5 million to support innovation in Canada's clean hydrogen sector.
Of this funding, $5 million will be allocated to three projects in Alberta selected through the Energy Innovation Program's (EIP) Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching call for proposals, including:
· $3,000,000 to Aurora Hydrogen Inc. to advance the use of microwave energy for pyrolysis technology to convert methane to hydrogen and solid carbon with minimal greenhouse gas emissions and no water use;
· $1,000,000 to Quantiam Technologies for the production of carbon-negative methanol and e-fuels from captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen; and,
· $1,000,000 to Innova Hydrogen Corpfor zero-carbon hydrogen production via catalytic methane pyrolysis.
The remaining four projects, also in Alberta, are funded through the EIP and support the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, a strategic initiative led by Alberta Innovates. They include:
· $1,300,450 to ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., in partnership with Qualico, to conduct a feasibility assessment of a pure hydrogen pipeline network to heat new homes in the community of Bremner in Strathcona County, Alberta, including constructing a pure-hydrogen demonstration home;
· $1,264,550 to Innovative Fuel Systems to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by developing a hydrogen and diesel dual-fuel retrofit system applicable to 90 percent of heavy-duty engines;
· $508,935 to ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. to develop the Fort Saskatchewan Operating Centre into the first commercial 100-percent hydrogen-heated building in North America and as a demonstration site for end-user heating technologies that utilize pure and blended hydrogen with natural gas; and,
· $415,000 to New Wave Hydrogen Inc. to accelerate the time of methane thermal cracking for hydrogen production via shock wave heating technology in preparation for successive field pilots.
These projects will drive progress in energy innovation across Canada while positioning the country to become a leader in hydrogen and other critical energy technologies.
Nuclear energy is part of the suite of non-emitting technologies needed for the world to transition to a net-zero future. NRCan introduced the Enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Program in 2023 to support the development of supply chains for SMR manufacturing and fuel and fund research on SMR waste management solutions to ensure that SMRs, and the waste they generate, can be safely managed, now and into the future.
As part of the Enabling SMRs Program:
· The University of Regina will receive a total of $941,651 over three years to study long-term disposal strategies for intermediate level and non-fuel high level wastes from SMRs within Saskatchewan; and,
· The University of Alberta will receive a total of $1,656,000 over three years for its project on additive manufacturing (AM) of next-generation functionally graded materials for use in SMRs.
Canada is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and recognizes that close collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners and key stakeholders is crucial to building a thriving, inclusive, low-carbon economy. By working together through gatherings such as the annual Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference, Canada is advancing the most promising competitive advantages in every region of the country to drive a prosperous and sustainable economy for the future.
