HAMILTON, ON (February 06, 2025): NGIF Accelerator is excited to announce that it is providing $74,450 in grant funding to HARvEST Systems for a testing and pilot project aimed at adapting the HARvEST platform (formerly POWER) for fryer use within restaurant environments. This initiative, in partnership with Pizza Pizza and Recipe Unlimited, is part of a larger effort to reduce emissions in the restaurant industry and highlights NGIF Accelerator’s commitment to advancing clean technology solutions that benefit Canada.
A Global Cleantech Challenge finalist, Ontario-based HARvEST Systems is on a mission to transform energy use in the restaurant sector over the next decade. Their technology is a fuel-less, emissions-free water heating system designed to replace traditional water heaters commonly found in restaurants.
By using a novel attachable heat reclaimer, the system can capture waste heat emitted from commercial cooking appliances like ovens and fryers, channelling it to heat water for use throughout the restaurant and even generating electricity as an added benefit. This technology reduces utility costs, providing a significant edge over existing water heater technologies.
The earlier funding from NGIF Accelerator enabled HARvEST to develop a prototype and successfully demonstrate its innovative waste heat recovery system at three Pizza Pizza locations within the Toronto and Hamilton area. The second project will begin with site selection and baseline testing at a Recipe-owned restaurant in the same region. It will include laboratory performance checks, installation at a Full-Service Restaurant (FSR), and a six-month verification of operational savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from the fryer-based heat recovery system. The goal is to expand the HARvEST system to include gas-fired fryers.
Image: HARvEST’s Heat Reclaimer installed at a Pizza Pizza restaurant in Ontario.
“We are proud to support HARvEST’s second project showcasing energy efficiency and emissions reduction in sectors like the restaurant industry, benefiting both the economy and the environment,” 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 is part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“Restaurants are energy-intense spaces; they use a considerable amount of electricity, natural gas, and water. Using the HARvEST Platform, restaurants can improve their energy efficiency while reducing utility costs and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. With support from the NGIF Accelerator’s Global Cleantech Challenge, we will be able to adapt and pilot our successful oven-based heat reclaimer, originally piloted with Pizza Pizza Ltd., for gas-fired fryers with Recipe Unlimited, allowing us to provide a more diverse solution for restaurants.” said James Cotton, CEO of HARvEST Systems. “The continued support from programs such as the Global Cleantech Challenge is instrumental in supporting the emissions’ reduction efforts across Canada.”
“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 the HARVEST platform,” 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 HARvEST Systems
HARvEST Systems is a Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)-based company dedicated to making waste heat an everyday commodity. HARvEST specializes in the seamless integration of a unique waste heat recovery system into restaurants to reduce utility costs and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. For more details, visit www.harvestsystems.ca
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
