Today, industries across Alberta are looking for ways to stay globally competitive. Adopting new technologies and upgrades can help, but these often come with expensive up-front costs, long payback periods, or better technologies needed are not yet commercially available.
Alberta’s government is giving industry a competitive edge by investing up to $72 million to help companies upgrade technologies, lower costs and operate more efficiently. This includes $65 million for a new funding challenge that will help forestry, energy, agriculture, heavy manufacturing and other major industries make technology upgrades. It also includes more than $7 million for new technologies to help oil and gas operators lower costs by reducing methane emissions.
“Alberta is a global leader in responsible energy development. By supporting made-in-Alberta technology, we’re strengthening our economy, protecting our environment, and keeping our job creators competitive. This funding helps secure Alberta’s energy leadership now and for decades to come.”
Industrial Transformation Challenge
The $65-million Industrial Transformation Challenge, delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta using the industry-led TIER fund, will accelerate the development and commercialization of some of the most promising technologies needed in Alberta and around the world. This will fund exciting projects that ultimately help companies reduce costs, improve efficiency, lower environmental impacts and gain a competitive edge in the global market.
“With investments like these, Alberta is advancing its reputation for excellence in developing and deploying technology solutions that have global export potential – technologies that keep our industries competitive in international markets. Through this funding, the province is once again cementing its leadership with critical technologies needed around the world, from methane management and mitigation to water conservation, soil and groundwater protection, and waste reduction.”
“Funding provided by the Government of Alberta and Emissions Reduction Alberta in such programs as the Industrial Transformation Challenge are critical to supporting Alberta industry on its path towards innovation and sustainability. Previous funding from the province has supported Baymag and ZS2 Technologies in the development of an innovative, low-carbon, made-in-Alberta cement product to support high-performance building solutions.”
Reducing methane emissions in the energy sector
More than $7 million is also being invested through Emissions Reduction Alberta into two new projects that will help Alberta’s energy sector monitor, manage and reduce methane emissions – saving money and keeping them competitive.
SensorUp Inc. will use $3 million to develop the world’s first open-standard software platform that uses artificial intelligence to produce faster methane reporting, quicker repairs and more effective methane mitigation. Ambyint Inc. will receive $4.1 million to upgrade its existing artificial intelligence platform with advanced machine learning and algorithms. Ambyint Inc.’s project could potentially reduce methane venting by up to 90 per cent.
“Financial support from the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta enables us to collaborate with some of the world’s largest and most forward-thinking energy producers to build the first multi-sensor, AI-assisted measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification software platform for methane emissions reduction. This initiative will create high-value jobs in Alberta and equip producers to meet reporting and mitigation standards with greater accuracy and efficiency, unlocking access to new premium markets.”
“Securing Government of Alberta funding through Emissions Reduction Alberta enables Ambyint to accelerate and scale our Alberta-developed AI optimization and emissions-reduction technology. Customers are seeking solutions that impact both their economic and environmental performance. This pivotal support cements Alberta’s leadership in technology innovation, highlighting our province’s role in driving sustainable energy solutions globally.”
Quick facts
- Applications for the Industrial Transformation Challenge are now open and will be accepted until June 12, at 5 p.m. MT. More information is available on Emissions Reduction Alberta’s website.
- Eligible technologies include improved water and land management, soil remediation, reducing land use or disturbance and reducing air pollutants, plus new ways of producing fuels, breakthrough industrial process improvements, industrial facility efficiency upgrades, agricultural and forestry innovation, improved processes for bitumen extraction, oil and gas processing and refinement, and industrial fuel switching and electrification.
- Successful Industrial Transformation Challenge applicants are eligible for up to $10 million per project, while projects deemed exceptionally strong through the competitive review process may be eligible for up to $15 million.
- While Industrial Transformation Challenge technology solutions can originate from anywhere in the world, they must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, or show direct economic benefit to the province.
- Alberta has reduced methane emissions from the conventional oil and gas sector by 52 per cent since 2014, and emissions continue to decline.