Canada Invests $5.8 Million to Advance Carbon Management in BC

The Government of Canada has announced an investment of $5.8 million across three projects in British Columbia (BC) to enhance the development of homegrown carbon management technology. This funding is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) capabilities as Canada aims to establish itself as a leader in clean energy.

The financial support comes from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through its Energy Innovation Program, specifically targeting proposals that focus on the research, development, and demonstration of Canadian CCUS solutions.

Investment Breakdown and Project Highlights

Three companies from the Metro Vancouver area have been selected to receive funding. Among them, Agora Energy Technologies, an electrochemical engineering firm based in Vancouver, will receive nearly $2.5 million for a $3.4 million project aimed at improving its carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and utilization processes. This initiative will utilize impure flue gas and is a continuation of Agora’s recent funding from the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy, now known as NorthX Climate Tech.

In Burnaby, Anodyne Chemistries will be allocated $2 million to support a $5 million project that focuses on demonstrating and scaling up processes to convert CO2 into chemical commodities such as formate. Chief Executive Officer Iain Evans emphasized that this approach not only reduces emissions but also presents a profitable opportunity for companies to generate new revenue streams.

Another recipient, Svante, will obtain $1.35 million from NRCan to enhance its capabilities in contaminant testing. The funds will be used to establish new facilities as part of a $2.92 million project. Co-founder and Senior Vice-President Brett Henkel stated that this federal investment reflects confidence in both Svante and the broader carbon management sector in Canada.

BC as a Growing Cleantech Hub

British Columbia is rapidly positioning itself as a cleantech hub, especially with the upcoming Web Summit Vancouver scheduled for May. Local organizations have collaborated to showcase innovations and promote the region’s businesses on an international stage.

The activity in CCUS is gaining momentum across Canada. Earlier this year, Deep Sky, based in Montreal, launched its first direct-air carbon capture facility in Alberta. Additionally, Carbon Upcycling secured $24.5 million for its technology, while Frontier entered a $43.3 million agreement with Planetary Technologies from Dartmouth, NS, to address atmospheric CO2 emissions through oceanic solutions.

The federal government is actively working to enhance the country’s CCUS capabilities. In Budget 2021, an allocation of $319 million over seven years was committed to advancing the commercial viability of CCUS technologies. Additionally, last year’s budget introduced a CCUS investment tax credit aimed at supporting Canada’s goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

In July, NRCan also announced over $21.5 million in funding for various CCUS projects in Alberta, further underscoring the federal commitment to clean energy initiatives.