Reshaping Energy Systems
AB, Canada
Money to strengthen energy systems in Alberta
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateApril 24, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateJune 15, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
- Government of Alberta
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $10 million to cover 50% of eligible expenses for projects that will help modernize and improve the reliability, cost, and efficiency of energy infrastructure.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant.
- Evaluating large-scale transmission battery energy storage system to Alberta's electric grid
- Combining supercapacitor-based energy storage system with hydroelectric generating facility
- Applying a cooling coating to overhead electric power lines
- Piloting software products to optimize energy usage in oil and gas pipeline operations
- Using ultrasonic sensors and AI to predict power line failures
- Boosting fuel efficiency with graphene ultracapacitor energy storage for generators
- Developing high-capacity hydrogen fueling station in Crossfield, AB
- Connecting energy-efficient solar + storage homes into a virtual power plant
- Launching a system for capturing and recovering natural gas during pipeline maintenance
- Combining geoexchange district heating, solar PV, and intelligent controls for multi-family homes decarbonization
- Installing 10 megawatt battery technology at Keyera’s Alberta EnviroFuels plant
- Delivering cost competitive and reliable power through time-shifting renewable energy generation
- Conducting feasibility study for deploying a small modular nuclear reactor
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$7,500,000
Vancouver
Combining supercapacitor-based energy storage system with a hydroelectric generating facility
$7,500,000
Crossfield
Developing the high-capacity hydrogen fueling station
$4,000,000
Toronto
Implementing graphene ultracapacitor energy storage for fuel efficiency generators
$6,000,000
Edmonton
Launching a system for capturing and recovering natural gas during pipeline maintenance
$10,000,000
Calgary
Evaluating large-scale transmission battery energy storage system's electric grid
$9,000,000
Ottawa
Connecting energy-efficient solar + storage homes into a virtual power plant
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligible applicants were invited for various stages of clean technology innovation projects contributing to reducing GHG emissions or transitioning energy systems to net-zero emissions in Alberta.
- Innovators, technology developers, industrial facility owners/operators
- Indigenous communities
- Industrial associations
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Research and development (R&D) organizations
- Universities
- Municipalities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Government research labs
- Individuals
- Collaboration between multiple organizations was encouraged
- Partnerships with Alberta’s post-secondary and research institutions, Indigenous communities, and municipalities were encouraged where appropriate
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible companies and organizations are encouraged to collaborate with Alberta’s post-secondary institutions, Indigenous communities, and municipalities where appropriate.
- Innovators
- Technology Developers
- Indigenous Communities
- Industrial Facility Owners/Operators
- Industrial Associations
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Research and Development (R&D) Organizations
- Universities
- Municipalities
- Not-for-profit Organizations
- Government Research Labs
- Individuals
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant includes expenses necessary to carry out the project in eligibility. Eligible expenses include various costs associated with the project development and implementation:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment costs
- Salaries and benefits
- Contractor and consultant fees
- Travel expenses related to the project
- Overhead costs
- Research and development costs
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
All projects supported through this Call must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta. The funding targets diverse energy-related innovations in the province with a clear and justified value proposition for reducing GHG emissions or enabling the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
- Alberta
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The projects were selected through ERA’s competitive review process, involving an independent, rigorous, transparent review overseen by a Fairness Monitor and final funding decisions made by ERA’s Board of Directors based on expert recommendations.
- Independent review by experts in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and greenhouse gas quantification
- Rigorous and transparent review process
- Oversight by a Fairness Monitor
- Final funding decision made by ERA’s Board of Directors based on expert recommendations
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review the Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines
- Step 2: Prepare your proposal based on the Call for Expressions of Interest Template
- Step 3: Ensure all expenses and costs are eligible as per the Eligible Expense and Cost Instructions
- Step 4: Follow the Privacy, Confidentiality, Data, and Security Policy
- Step 5: Submit your application by the deadline, Thursday, June 15, 2023, 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6h)
- Step 6: Await the competitive review process outcomes administered by ERA's team of experts
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Reshaping Energy Systems funding competition supports initiatives aimed at reducing GHG emissions and creating a sustainable energy grid. The funding is part of the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund provided by the Government of Alberta.
- Funding amounts range from $500,000 to $6.5 million.
- Projects will be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed within Alberta.
- Estimated annual GHG reductions of 119 thousand tonnes, with cumulative reductions of almost 580 thousand by 2030, and 2.7 million tonnes by 2050.
- Creation of 830 person-year jobs in Alberta, with an estimated $125 million GDP impact in the province by 2025.
- All recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report that is shared publicly.
- Funding applications required collaboration with Alberta’s post-secondary and research institutions, Indigenous communities, and municipalities where appropriate.
Apply to this program
ERA Reshaping Energy Systems Grant Summary
The Government of Alberta is investing $33.7 million through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) in 13 innovative projects to modernize the province's energy systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These projects, funded by Alberta's Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund, aim to create economic opportunities and enhance energy system resilience, resulting in significant GHG reductions and job creation.
Understanding the ERA Reshaping Energy Systems Grant
The ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant initiative represents a substantial investment by the Government of Alberta, focusing on reshaping the province's energy landscape. With a total of $33.7 million being allocated to 13 forward-thinking projects, these efforts are expected to bring both environmental and economic benefits to Alberta. This long-term initiative aims to deliver not only immediate greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions but also sustained positive impacts on the economy and energy infrastructure into the future.
### Key Projects and Objectives
Each of the 13 projects selected for the ERA Reshaping Energy Systems funding competition has a specific focus, addressing various aspects of energy management, distribution, and emission reductions. These projects were chosen through a competitive review process involving experts in various fields, ensuring fairness and rigorous evaluation to select the most promising initiatives. Here are some of the notable projects and their respective objectives:
- AltaLink Investment Limited Partnership: This project involves evaluating the implementation of a large-scale transmission battery energy storage system for the Alberta electric grid. With an ERA funding of $1.5 million towards the $3 million project cost, this initiative aims to enhance grid stability and resilience.
- Atlas Power Technologies, Inc.: The project will combine a supercapacitor-based energy storage system (SC-ESS) with a hydroelectric generating facility to provide fast-responding reliability services to Alberta’s power grid. ERA funding amounts to $6.5 million, with a total project cost of over $14 million.
- Cable Coatings Limited T/A AssetCool: This initiative will apply a cooling coating to overhead electric power lines, reducing their temperature and enhancing capacity. ERA has committed more than $500,000 to this project.
- CRWN.ai: Utilizing ultrasonic sensors and Artificial Intelligence, this project aims to predict failures in remote electric power lines before they happen, with ERA providing funding of $785,000.
- HTEC Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corporation: The development of a high-capacity hydrogen fueling station in Crossfield, AB, is set to receive $2 million in funding. This project will enable an initial fleet of over 25 hydrogen fuel cell trucks, promoting sustainable transportation.
- TERIC Power Ltd. – eLab Battery Project: This project involves installing a 10 megawatt battery at Keyera’s Alberta EnviroFuels plant to provide energy storage and reliability benefits. ERA has allocated more than $6.4 million for this initiative.
The projects, spanning from battery storage solutions and hydrogen fueling infrastructure to advanced software controls and predictive maintenance using AI, form a comprehensive approach to energy system modernization. Each project is not only innovative but also aligns with the broader objective of reducing GHG emissions and enabling a more sustainable energy grid in Alberta.
### Environmental and Economic Impacts
The anticipated benefits of the ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant initiative are substantial. If successful, these projects are estimated to deliver annual GHG reductions of 119 thousand tonnes, with cumulative reductions reaching almost 580 thousand tonnes by 2030 and 2.7 million tonnes by 2050. This makes a significant contribution to Alberta's goals of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future.
Beyond environmental benefits, these projects are expected to have a pronounced economic impact. The funding is projected to create 830 person-year jobs in Alberta, fostering job creation and economic growth within the province. Additionally, the initiative is expected to contribute to the Alberta GDP, with an estimated impact of $125 million by 2025. Such economic benefits highlight the dual advantage of investing in clean technology solutions—simultaneous support for environmental sustainability and economic development.
### Funding and Selection Process
The ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant competition was conducted through an open and competitive review process. Projects were selected by a team of experts with extensive knowledge in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and greenhouse gas quantification. This diverse panel ensured a thorough and fair assessment of each project, overseen by a Fairness Monitor to maintain transparency and integrity in the selection process. The finalists were ultimately chosen by ERA's Board of Directors based on the experts' recommendations.
ERA funding contributions were capped at 50% of the eligible expenses for each project, ensuring that applicants also invested significant resources towards the completion of their initiatives. The funding amounts ranged from $500,000 to $6.5 million, with successful applicants required to produce a final outcomes report detailing project achievements, GHG reductions, job creation, and other benefits. These reports will be shared publicly to maximize the knowledge-sharing potential of the funded projects.
### The Future of Energy in Alberta
As Alberta progresses towards a future with a more flexible, reliable, and efficient energy grid, the ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant initiative marks a critical step in this journey. The diverse range of energy innovations funded through this initiative are set to play key roles in modernizing the province's energy systems. This will significantly contribute to reducing GHG emissions, fostering economic growth, and promoting sustainable energy practices across multiple sectors.
The long-term vision of the ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant is not solely about immediate wins but focuses on creating a sustainable and resilient energy future for Alberta. By addressing both the environmental and economic aspects of energy systems, these projects provide a holistic approach to energy management and emissions reduction.
The success of these projects could serve as a model for other regions, demonstrating how targeted investments and innovative technologies can transform energy systems, reduce emissions, and stimulate economic activity. With the robust support of the TIER fund and the strategic guidance of ERA, Alberta is well-positioned to lead by example in the field of energy innovation and sustainability.
### Conclusion
The ERA Reshaping Energy Systems grant is a significant and strategic investment by the Government of Alberta to forge a path towards a sustainable and resilient energy future. By funding innovative projects focused on energy management, distribution, and reduction of GHG emissions, this initiative supports both environmental sustainability and economic growth in Alberta. As these projects are implemented and their benefits realized, they hold the promise of transforming Alberta's energy landscape and setting a benchmark for other regions aiming to achieve similar goals.
