EDMONTON, AB (July 3, 2024): NGIF Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) is pleased to announce an award of $15 MM from the Government of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. This funding will support the ongoing efforts of the ETC program to accelerate the testing and development of methane management technologies.
The Government of Alberta recognizes the success of the ETC program to date, with over 30 methane management technologies tested since 2021. NGIF Accelerator’s contributions to supporting startups and the commercialization of methane emissions measurement, monitoring, and reduction solutions have been instrumental in advancing emissions reduction efforts in Alberta.
“We are grateful for the continued support from the Government of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas,” said John Adams, President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator. “This funding will allow us to further expand the NGIF ETC’s testing capabilities and support the development of innovative methane management technologies. We are confident that this partnership will help NGIF continue to accelerate technology and innovation in the natural gas sector and maintain Alberta’s leadership in methane emissions management.”
NGIF’s ETC program plays a crucial role in advancing the research and development of methane emissions measurement, monitoring, and reduction solutions. By providing a platform for startups to test and commercialize their technologies, the program is driving innovation and progress in reducing methane emissions.
The NGIF ETC program was initially funded by Natural Resources Canada under the Canadian Emissions Reduction Innovation Network (CERIN) initiative and subsequently funded by PrairiesCan.
“The ETC program allows cleantech developers to test their technologies at no cost in both laboratory and live operating environments with potential end users, thereby accelerating the commercialization process. They can gain valuable technical and industry expertise, collect data, and validate and modify their technologies according to industry needs,” noted Adams.
“We are a global leader in reducing methane emissions, and Alberta technologies are being used around the world. We are removing barriers so our talented startup companies can grow their good ideas, create jobs and support a sustainable oil and gas sector for generations to come,” said Rebecca Schulz, Honourable Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
Image: From left, Rebecca Schulz, Honourable Minister of Environment and Protected Areas and John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator, at Tourmaline and Perpetual Energy’s West Wolf Lake gas processing plant near Edson.
“The ETC Lab at the University of Calgary offers start-ups a flexible and safe environment to test their technologies, allowing them to de-risk and refine their innovations before field testing. This testing provides valuable insights that help accelerate the commercialization of their technologies. The funding from the Government of Alberta supports the ETC’s vital mission to aid cleantech start-ups in developing technologies that contribute to emission reduction goals,” said Professor Ian Gates, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), University of Calgary.
“As a proud ETC partner, Tourmaline is committed to helping develop emerging cleantech companies while providing real solutions to reduce methane emissions. Not only are these companies pioneering innovative technologies, but they’re also creating tangible benefits, from helping our industry mitigate emissions and reduce operating costs to generating high-quality jobs and opportunities for Albertans,” said Michael Rose, Tourmaline President and CEO. “We are excited about the future of the ETC program and will be able to accelerate the great work underway with this funding support from the Government of Alberta.”
“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 and the ETC, 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. The Government of Alberta’s funding will help ETC in that regard, particularly with efforts to meet the emission control regimes that are being established by the Government of Canada,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
For more information about NGIF Accelerator and the Emissions Testing Centre Program, visit www.ngif.ca.
About the Emissions Testing Centre Program
The NGIF Emissions Testing Centre program involves collaboration between industry, academia and government. It involves public support to ensure cleantech companies have a dedicated space to develop, test, and field–validate technologies to measure, monitor, and reduce methane emissions and to fast-track methane technologies to market through knowledge dissemination and fostering commercialization. The program is unique in that it provides cleantech companies with free access to testing and commercialization support for rapid scale-up of technologies from concept to commercial–ready deployment. The ETC lab at the University of Calgary provides capabilities to test and de-risk technologies in a controlled environment, complemented by live field trials at the West Wolf Lake Gas Plant (jointly owned by Tourmaline Oil Corp. and Perpetual Energy), along with other Tourmaline assets.
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 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.
Media Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
(613)-748-0057
jadams@ngif.ca
Ayoola Ajibare
Communications Coordinator, NGIF Capital Corporation
(403)-389-2212
aajibare@ngif.ca