A combined total of nearly $50 million is being provided to 23 Alberta projects to advance innovation that will help Alberta become an even stronger leader in clean energy technologies, reduce emissions over the near and long term, and create jobs for Albertans.

Funding for these projects is being delivered through the Alberta Innovates TIER Economic Recovery Program. The approved projects will provide technological solutions for Alberta’s energy industry, spanning areas like oil and gas operations, partial upgrading, hydrogen production, recycling, artificial intelligence, machine learning and more.

Alberta Innovates expects these 23 projects will support a total of 1,307 project-related jobs for Albertans while contributing $169 million to the province’s GDP.

“Alberta continues to lead in all forms of energy innovation. Alberta Innovates is building on our strengths by supporting groundbreaking discoveries and commercializing innovative solutions Alberta – and the world – needs. ”

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation

“TIER is creating thousands of jobs for Albertans and bringing billions of investment in clean technology and emissions reduction to our province. This announcement from Alberta Innovates showcases our leadership in technology and innovation that reduces emissions and solidifies our position as a global climate leader.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks

“These projects aim to reduce emissions, reduce water use, increase value, decrease costs and manage waste through new technologies and processes. The TIER program uses cleantech to create a cleaner environment and improve industry competitiveness to build a better path forward for Alberta.”

Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates

“C-FER Technologies is working with our clients on addressing climate change and reducing environmental impact. Alberta is well-positioned to be a world leader in the transition to a lower carbon energy future, and this will involve integrating hydrogen into our oil and gas infrastructure. The investment by the Alberta government, through the TIER program, allows C-FER to further advance our ability to conduct full-scale tests in hydrogen environments in partnership with industry. These tests will play a critical role in helping our clients commercially adopt new technologies for hydrogen production, transportation and storage while maintaining the safety of their operations.”

Francisco Alhanati, managing director, C-FER Technologies

“Methane emissions represent a monumental threat to our climate. SensorUp is pleased to announce it has received funding through Alberta Innovates to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing the oil and gas sector: improving the efficiency, quality and safety of methane leak detection and repair.”

Steve Liang, chief technology officer, SensorUp

The funding and opportunity Alberta Innovates provides is invaluable to projects like HipVap's prototype demonstration. Their support allows companies like Scovan to advance innovation and bring technologies towards commercialization that have the ability to positively impact our communities and reduce GHGs.

Jane Cavanagh, vice-president of product innovation, Scovan

Alberta Innovates is a provincial corporation that reports to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. Alberta Innovates received a $50-million funding commitment over three years from the Alberta government’s industry-funded TIER system.

Alberta Innovates’ program supports energy and cleantech projects that accelerate innovation, support long-term competitiveness and stimulate growth in critically important sectors of Alberta’s economy. To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the requirements of TIER and be at a mature stage of development, with the potential to create jobs and cut emissions quickly.

Application intake for the program ran from Oct. 27 to Nov. 30, 2020. Projects began as early as January 2021 and must be completed by March 2023.

Learn more about successful projects.

TIER fund

This investment through Alberta Innovates is part of the government’s $750-million spend from the TIER fund and other public funding to support up to 8,700 jobs, inject $1.9 billion into Alberta’s economy and cut about six million tonnes of emissions each year. This investment is in direct response to the unprecedented economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices.

Quick facts

  • TIER helps industrial facilities, which account for more than 60 per cent of Alberta’s total emissions, find innovative ways to reduce their emissions and invest in clean technology to save money and stay competitive.
  • The TIER fund is being reinvested into programs that will advance technology and innovation, attract investments to Alberta and continue to build on Alberta’s legacy of strong environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).