VANCOUVER, BC (April 16, 2024): NGIF Accelerator, through its Industry Grants program, is proud to announce $500,000 in grant funding to support the development of Vancouver, BC based Highbury Energy’s proprietary Dual Fluidized Bed Steam Gasifier.
In a move towards sustainability and emissions reduction, Highbury Energy Inc. (Highbury) is conducting a comprehensive techno-economic analysis and front-end engineering design study to seamlessly provide an alternative fuel source in a Kraft Pulp Mill lime kiln and power boiler with medium BTU renewable fuel gas (RFG) at West Fraser Mills Ltd.’s (“West Fraser”) Cariboo Pulp and Paper mill in Quesnel, British Columbia.
Central to this initiative is the use of Highbury’s Dual Fluidized Bed Steam Gasifier, which transforms waste woody biomass into RFG, offering an alternative fuel for industrial heating. After six years of testing in their scaled, three-story pilot plant facility, Highbury has successfully established the production process and intellectual property for a medium-energy, nitrogen-free, and burner-ready RFG derived from various biomass feedstocks.
Image: Highbury’s Dual Fluidized Bed Steam Gasifier Prototype
The NGIF Accelerator funding will aid in the techno-economic assessment of the RFG project, potentially saving 45,000 tonnes of emissions annually. The collaboration between West Fraser and Highbury demonstrates environmental stewardship and promotes renewable fuel solutions in the forestry sector. The Highbury gasification technology could also generate new economic opportunities in rural areas, reducing wildfire risks and promoting job development.
“We are excited to support Highbury Energy in their work to develop an alternative energy source with the potential to reduce emissions,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator and Managing Partner of NGIF Cleantech Ventures. “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 are delighted with the support of NGIF Accelerator. Their engagement comes at a time when technology validation is critical to deploying commercial-scale innovations. NGIF’s support marks a significant step forward in converting waste biomass into renewable fuels and driving fuel switching to further curtail emissions in the forest-based sector; yet another example of the natural gas industry’s commitment to deliver environmental objectives and reduce emissions overall,” said Len Bykowski, CEO of Highbury Energy Inc.
“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 Highbury’s gasifier,” 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 Highbury Energy
Founded in 2008 by Dr. Paul Watkinson, former head of the UBC Chemical & Biological Engineering Department, Highbury is an “innovator” in the circular and emissions reduction world. Adopting its fully developed and proven disruptive Dual Fluidized Bed Steam Gasification technology, Highbury is currently deploying this cost–competitive conversion technology utilizing waste cellulose-based biomass to produce low-carbon-intensity renewable gaseous and liquid transportation fuels.
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
