EDMONTON, AB (June 18, 2024): NGIF Accelerator, through its Industry Grants program, is pleased to announce a $150,000 funding contribution for the development of Aurora Hydrogen’s microwave pyrolysis technology to produce hydrogen. This technology has the potential to reduce global emissions by over 500 million tonnes per year.
Hydrogen is an essential energy carrier for lowering emissions in transportation and industrial processes, and the demand for it is expected to increase. Currently, hydrogen is primarily produced through the steam reforming of natural gas. The technology development project, jointly funded by the University of Alberta, aims to use efficient microwave energy to heat natural gas in the absence of oxygen and water, resulting in the production of hydrogen and solid carbon with no direct emissions.
Edmonton-based Aurora Hydrogen’s microwave pyrolysis technology is highly scalable and modular, allowing units to be installed anywhere there is natural gas and electricity.
Image: Conceptual Rendering of Aurora Hydrogen’s Plant
“Aurora Hydrogen’s technology has the potential to reduce global emissions and play a key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy,” 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.”
“We feel very fortunate to receive the support of NGIF Accelerator,” said Andrew Gillis, CEO, Aurora Hydrogen. “Our technology has the potential to generate new uses for natural gas via emission-free hydrogen production and consumption, and we look forward to playing a significant role in Canada’s clean energy economy.”
“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 Aurora Hydrogen’s microwave pyrolysis technology,” 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 will operate 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 the Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Aurora Hydrogen
Aurora Hydrogen is developing a clean hydrogen production technology that utilizes efficient microwave energy without generating any CO2 emissions or consuming water. The technology is highly scalable; units can be installed anywhere and can scale from small fueling stations to the largest industrial applications. Hydrogen production using Aurora’s technology has the potential to reduce global CO2 emissions by over 900 million tonnes per year. The company was founded in 2021 and is based in Edmonton, Canada.
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 38 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