Renewable and Alternative Energy Program
AB, Canada
This program invests in projects to develop and deploy clean technologies to benefit Albertans and contribute to the province’s low-carbon economy.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Alberta Innovates
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Renewable and Alternative Energy focuses on grid modernization, energy storage and electricity generation to support energy development. The future of electricity systems involves using smart, data-enabled, and digital solutions. New opportunities for generation from geothermal to nuclear help in transitioning to low-carbon electricity. Renewable and Alternative Energy is positioned to ensure Alberta’s future electricity system is safe, reliable, sustainable, and designed for growth.
grant_single_labels|projects
Funding for this grant is open to a wide range of applicant categories, regardless of their geographical location, as long as they present a clear value proposition for the Province of Alberta. Companies do not need to be based in Alberta to apply.
- Organizations based outside Alberta that can demonstrate value to the province.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$600,000
Energy storage system implementation
$400,000
Installation of solar panels on public buildings
$3,000,000
Pilot program for nuclear microreactors
$900,000
Developing a smart grid system
$2,000,000
Hydropower system upgrade
$1,500,000
Development of a geothermal energy plant
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- Funding is open to all categories of lead applicant including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, individuals and others advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.
- Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and alignment to the program area priorities.
- Successful applicants must be legally able to execute the Investment Agreement.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Funding is open to a wide range of applicants including technology developers, industry representatives, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals. Eligible applicants are those who are advancing technology within a Technology Readiness Level range of 3-7. Although applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, they must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and align with the program's priority areas.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:
- Alberta-based organizations are not eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant is oriented towards the development and deployment of clean technologies to aid Alberta's transition to a low-carbon economy. The activities focus on enhancing electricity systems using innovative, sustainable solutions.
- Grid modernization projects, including smart grid initiatives.
- Energy storage solutions to support integration of intermittent energy sources.
- Development of low-emitting electricity generation technologies, including geothermal, nuclear, solar, and wind energy.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria in three major categories to ensure alignment with the program's objectives.
- Innovation - Assessment of the novelty and uniqueness of the proposed technology or approach.
- Execution - Evaluation of the project's implementation plan, including feasibility and the expertise of the project team.
- Impacts - Consideration of the potential economic, environmental, and social benefits, particularly focusing on contributions to Alberta's low-carbon economy.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Determine Project Eligibility
- Contact a Clean Resources Project Advisor to discuss if your project scope meets program requirements.
- Step 2: Register on SmartSimple
- Create an account on SmartSimple, the online application portal used by Alberta Innovates.
- Step 3: Complete and Submit Intake Form
- Log into SmartSimple and complete the Intake Form with basic project details.
- Submit the Intake Form for initial review.
- Step 4: Await Review Outcome
- Wait for the Intake Form to be reviewed by Alberta Innovates.
- If your project is selected, you will be invited to submit a Detailed Proposal.
- Step 5: Submit Detailed Proposal (if invited)
- Upon invitation, complete the Detailed Proposal as per the guidelines provided in SmartSimple.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The grant program supports projects within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.
- Legal capacity to execute the Investment Agreement is required for successful applicants.
Apply to this program
Empowering Clean Technology Initiatives in Alberta
The Renewable and Alternative Energy Program facilitates the development and deployment of clean technologies across Alberta, directly contributing to the province's low-carbon economy. This grant supports initiatives focused on grid modernization and energy storage solutions to ensure a safe, reliable, sustainable electricity system.
In-Depth Overview of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Program
The Renewable and Alternative Energy Program is a cornerstone initiative for Alberta's shift towards a sustainable and diversified energy sector. This program is pivotal in fostering projects that advance clean technology and enhance the province's infrastructure to support these technologies. It primarily focuses on three core areas: grid modernization, energy storage solutions, and electricity generation, each vital to ensuring Alberta's electricity system's resilience and sustainability.
Grid modernization under this program is championed through initiatives like the Alberta Smart Grid Consortium, which Alberta Innovates leads. This facet of the program aims to integrate digital solutions and smart data capacities to optimize grid performance, ensuring a robust and efficient electricity distribution network that can adapt to evolving technological advances. By modernizing the grid, Alberta sets a foundation for integrating a variety of energy sources and technologies, enhancing the capacity and reliability of its electricity system.
Energy storage is another critical component of this program. With the increasing incorporation of intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, reliable energy storage solutions are paramount. The program supports the development of innovative storage mechanisms, including advanced battery technologies and other non-wire solutions. These innovations are essential to balance supply and demand effectively and ensure that clean energy can be stored and utilized efficiently, thus stabilizing the electricity grid.
Focused on diversifying the electricity generation mix, the program invests in emerging technologies like small modular nuclear reactors, geothermal, and other low-emission energy sources. This diversity not only contributes to reducing carbon emissions but also bolsters Alberta's economic resilience by opening new pathways for energy production that are sustainable and scalable.
While eligibility is broad, incorporating a range of applicants from multinational enterprises to SMEs and academia, all proposals must align with Alberta's strategic goals of decarbonization and reflect a clear value proposition for the province. The program is open to continuous intake, meaning applications are welcomed at any time, providing flexibility for innovators to apply as opportunities and technologies develop.
The evaluation of applications prioritizes innovation, execution, and impact, ensuring that funds are allocated to projects with the highest potential for success. This rigorous assessment process allows Alberta Innovates to support initiatives that promise not only immediate benefits but also contribute to long-term sustainability goals.
Overall, the Renewable and Alternative Energy Program is a strategic investment in Alberta's future, driving forward the province's clean technology sector and laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, diversified economy. By supporting pioneering projects that advance technological capabilities and infrastructure, Alberta is positioned as a leader in clean energy transitions, benefiting not only the local population but setting a precedent for others to follow.
