How Canadian innovators are changing our future

The Government of Canada invested $1.89 million in funding to accelerate the development of innovative technologies to reduce fossil fuel consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions at Domtar's Windsor mill.

The project aims to transform woody biomass into value-added bio-products — including advanced biofuels — leading to increased energy efficiency at the mill.

Location: Windsor, Quebec
Investment: $1.89 million
Funding Program: Clean Energy Innovation Program
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• Canada Invests in Cleantech to Transform Quebec Pulp Mill

Natures Affinity has developed Biobinder, a new Canada-based technology that adds strength and water-resistance to pulp materials to meet special product and packaging needs in the horticultural and produce industries. Biobinder is made entirely from recovered plant components and is USDA certified as 100% biobased. With this project, Natures Affinity aims to replace petroleum-based materials, such as plastic horticultural pots and packaging, with its innovative tech that combines natural chemistry with nanotechnology. Biobinder will deliver economic benefits to the community and the surrounding region.

Location: Ontario
Investment: $188,000
Funding Program: Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT)
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• Government of Canada Supports Forest Product Innovation in Ontario

Funded by NRCan, Hydro-Québec's research institute (IREQ) is leading a next-generation smart grid project that will promote the rapid adoption of new, renewable energy sources to bolster the electricity grid. The goal of the project is to develop and implement technology to integrate new sources of clean energy without compromising the stability and reliability of our electricity grids.

Location: Varennes, Quebec
Investment: $949,000
Funding Program: Energy Innovation Program
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• Government of Canada Invests in Next-Generation Smart Grid Technology

Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA) is bringing tidal energy centre stage. Projects include environmental effects monitoring, cost reduction technologies and specialized marine operational capacity. OERA aims to reduce uncertainty and investment risk in tidal energy conversion technologies, allowing Canada to maintain its position in the emerging global tidal energy market.

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Investment: $1,000,000
Funding Program: Clean Energy Innovation
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• Government of Canada Invests in Nova Scotia Tidal Technology Research

Through the work of Enerlab 2000 Inc., polyurethane insulation foam boards and structural panels may become cheaper and greener in the near future. Enerlab's iso-lignin technology will use lignin from black liquor — a byproduct of the pulp and paper process and an underutilized renewable resource — to replace petroleum-based raw materials previously used in polyurethane-based products. Lignin is of strong interest as a material since it is the second-most naturally abundant substance after cellulose and is not related to the food chain. The process will cut production costs by up to 20 percent, reduce environmental impact and economically benefit the local community and surrounding region.

Location: Quebec
Investment: $1,340,000
Funding Program: Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT)
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• Government of Canada Supports Clean Technology in Quebec's Forest Sector

MEG Energy Corp aims to cut down steam generation, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, through employing eMVAPEX technology to produce bitumen at a higher rate. eMVAPEX technology anticipates up to a 70% increase in bitumen production, achieving sustainable cost savings and minimizing environmental impact to land, air and water.

Location: Conklin, Alberta
Investment: $9,933,000
Funding Program: Oil and Gas Clean Technologies
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• Enhanced Modified VAPour EXtraction R&D Operation
• Alberta Oil and Gas Sector to Benefit From $21-million Investment in Clean Technology

InnoTech Alberta is working to turn carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into usable products through testing in a specialized research facility. The goal is to determine the possibility of creating products such as building materials, alternative fuels and commercial goods from CO₂ feedstock. As the result of this project, emissions will be reduced, technologies will advance, and local jobs will be created in the surrounding community.

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Investment: $9,770,000
Funding Program: Carbon Capture, Storage and Use

The project, co-funded by Alberta Innovates, is a demonstration of an enhanced bitumen recovery process by Cenovus Energy Inc. involving the co-injection of steam and solvent in an in-situ steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) production on its Foster Creek oil sands project. It will test the efficiency of steam-solvent co-injection during bitumen production in terms of oil recovery, cumulative steam-to-oil ratio (SOR) and the anticipated reductions of green house gas emissions, water use and associated treatment costs.

Location: Foster Creek, Alberta
Investment: $7,520,000
Funding Program: Oil and Clean Gas Technologies
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• Novel Hot Solvent Extraction Process
• Alberta Oil and Gas Sector to Benefit From $21-million Investment in Clean Technology

Field Upgrading is advancing its desulphurization and upgrading (DSU) technology through a FEED study for a large-scale demonstration plant. DSU technology removes sulphur and metals from heavy oils to produce a marine fuel to meet lower ISO sulphur specifications. DSU technology is more energy-efficient and has no direct greenhouse gas emissions, and its effect has been proven extensively through a pilot project, displaying consistently positive results. This demonstration is a building block for a full-scale commercial plant.

Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Investment: $3,560,000
Funding Program: Oil and Gas Clean Technologies
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• Clean Seas FEED Project
• Alberta Oil and Gas Sector to Benefit From $21-million Investment in Clean Technology

Carbon Engineering is pioneering a technology to isolate carbon dioxide from atmospheric air and transform it into synthesized liquid fuels for transportation purposes. The clean-burning synthetic fuels will contribute to the low-carbon economy and reduce emissions through the use of synthetic fuels.

Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Investment: $1,750,000
Funding Program: Carbon Capture, Storage and Use
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• MP Boissonnault Announces Funding for Cleaner Energy Options in Alberta

The Region of Peel is working to mitigate the effects of climate change with the introduction of three new electric vehicle charging stations. Natural Resources Canada provided funding toward the installation of two of the stations. These charging stations will encourage the use of electric vehicles, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building a cleaner community.

Location: Region of Peel, Ontario
Investment: $100,000
Funding Program: Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative