The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), announced $57 million, worth $280 million, in innovation funding for 28 projects to advance a hydrogen economy, reduce emissions, and create jobs in Alberta.
Alberta Innovates, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada, is committing $22.5 million for 20 early-stage projects through the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence – Competition 2. ERA, with funding from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program, is committing $34.5 million for eight late-stage projects through its Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge.
Projects cover the spectrum of hydrogen production, storage, transmission, distribution, and usage. They include building resilient pipelines capable of distributing hydrogen safely, creating furnaces and water heaters fueled by hydrogen, advancing retrofit kits of diesel engines, providing heat and power to a municipal recreation centre, and more. Successful applicants have 24 months for Alberta Innovates-funded projects, and 36 months for ERA-funded projects to complete their work.
ERA projects were selected through a competitive review process. A team of experts in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and greenhouse gas quantification conducted an independent, rigorous, transparent review overseen by a Fairness Monitor. All ERA recipients will be required to report on project outcomes, achievements, and lessons learned including GHG reductions, job creation, and other environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Courtesy of Alberta Innovates.