EDMONTON, Alberta, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is announcing $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. Interest in both programs was strong with many applications submitted. 95 expressions of interest were received for the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence – Competition 2. That was narrowed down to 45 projects which submitted full proposals. 37 reviewers, both internal and external to Alberta Innovates, provided reviews on the projects and ultimately 20 successful applications were recommended to Alberta Innovates' Board of Trustees for funding. 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. QUOTES"We are funding new, innovative technologies that will ultimately help hydrogen power Alberta's industries, vehicles, homes and economy in the years ahead. We are reducing emissions through technologies, not taxes, and creating jobs at the same time." Rebecca Shulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas "Hydrogen has the potential to transform global energy markets and to create trillions of dollars of economic activity. Alberta's government is committed to investing in new technologies to develop a hydrogen market and to ensure that Alberta is the Hydrogen capital of Canada. These investments will help to grow and diversify our economy and secure our future as a global energy powerhouse for generations to come." Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation "The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence is advancing technology and innovation to ensure Alberta remains a global energy system leader. The work we do today will create a foundation, and lay the groundwork, for companies to work with hydrogen. That's not only good for innovators but also for creating a strong Alberta economy." Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates "The Government of Alberta's significant investment in hydrogen is essential for our province to become a major player in the global hydrogen economy. These projects build on the province's early successes in the low carbon hydrogen value chain and will not only improve our market presence, but also reduce our emissions." Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA FUNDED PROJECTSERA is committing $34.5 million in funding for 8 projects, representing a total project value of approximately $162 million. Organization Project Description Amount Certarus Scale-up and deploy hydrogen storage, compression, and blending equipment at an existing compressed natural gas hub $1.200,000 City of Calgary Pilot the implementation and testing of hydrogen vehicles and equipment to determine suitability and incorporation $2,200,000 City of Edmonton Demonstrate a methanol-to-hydrogen fueling system while integrating two hydrogen vehicle technologies to test fueling and vehicle performance $6,900,000 Diesel Tech Industries Advancing retrofit kits for diesel engines, allowing for the co-combustion of both diesel fuel and hydrogen gas $2,000,000 Linde Canada Install hydrogen production, distribution, and refueling infrastructure in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan to supply hydrogen for Edmonton Transit $7,000,000 NuVista Energy Demonstrate a pulsed-methane pyrolysis (PMP) technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen and a solid carbon byproduct