BURNABY, BC (December 19, 2024): NGIF Accelerator continues to deliver improved environmental and economic performance for Canada’s natural gas value chain. Ekona Power Inc. (Ekona™) has completed the development and field testing of their tri-generation pyrolysis system for low-cost, clean hydrogen production. Supported by a $500,000 funding contribution from NGIF, the project marks a milestone in clean hydrogen production and emissions reduction in the natural gas industry.
A Global Cleantech Challenge finalist, Burnaby-based Ekona developed a proprietary methane pyrolysis solution that produces cleaner, low-emitting hydrogen from natural gas. This process matches the costs associated with traditional hydrogen production methods and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 90%.
With the continued support of NGIF Accelerator, investors, and other funding partners, Ekona has been able to develop and test its xCaliber™ reactor and scale the company’s lab prototype into a fully integrated 200-kilogram-per-day system for industrial hydrogen production.
Video: Ekona’s Xcaliber Reactor—An NGIF Accelerator-Funded Project.
Ekona is now focused on the completion of its Burnaby Pilot Plant, continued testing and development of reactor technologies, and the construction and commissioning of Ekona Gold Creek. The latter is a one-ton-per-day field demonstration to validate Ekona’s value proposition in a real-world setting and inform subsequent commercial plant deployments.
Image: Ekona is scaling its methane pyrolysis lab prototype into a fully integrated 200 kg/day system for industrial hydrogen production.
“The successful execution of this project showcases our commitment to driving clean energy innovation in the natural gas sector,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking clean technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“NGIF Accelerator has been an active supporter of Ekona and our technology vision for several years, and we are grateful for the ongoing support,” says Chris Reid, Ekona’s CEO. “Our technology unlocks the potential of natural gas for clean hydrogen production without the need for carbon-dioxide sequestration. It demonstrates a compelling way to use Canada’s natural gas resources and existing infrastructure to help meet global demand for hydrogen, decarbonized natural gas, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, clean energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support cleantech development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support technologies like Ekona’s methane pyrolysis solution,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
Industry Grants’ Participants and Project Partners
About Industry Grants program
The Industry Grants program is industry-led and offers non-dilutive grants to fund early-stage startups for technology development and field demonstration. The program specifically de-risks pre-commercial technology solutions that have the potential to increase the environmental performance of the natural gas sector. Each project in the program will accelerate technology readiness level progressions through controlled pilot testing and field trials to advance commercialization.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and operates all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and administers the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Ekona Power Inc.
Ekona Power Inc. is developing a breakthrough decarbonization technology for economic, industrial-scale clean hydrogen production, deployable wherever there’s natural gas infrastructure. Ekona™ is using an established process–methane pyrolysis–in a ground-breaking new way to create a low-cost, clean hydrogen production pathway to meet growing global demand for hydrogen, decarbonized natural gas, and greenhouse gas reductions at the scale and timing necessary to combat climate change.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gas energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. Its members are distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers and other service providers. Today, natural gas meets almost 40 per cent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Ayoola Ajibare
Communications Coordinator, NGIF Capital Corporation
(403)-389-2212
aajibare@ngif.ca
