NGIF Launches $5.5 Million Innovation Challenge Across the Natural Gas Value Chain

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NGIF Launches $5.5 Million Innovation Challenge Across the Natural Gas Value Chain


May 27, 2021

OTTAWA, ON (May 27, 2021) Today, NGIF Industry Grants, a division of NGIF Capital Corporation, launches a $5.5 million (CAD) funding competition to accelerate clean technology solutions across the natural gas value chain. This first of its kind challenge will invest in upstream, midstream, and downstream innovative solutions to address challenges in Canada’s natural gas industry with the goal of improving environmental performance and competitiveness.

The Innovation Challenge invites startups and SMEs with innovative and novel solutions to key challenges facing the industry that can create value and mitigate environmental impacts in the production, transmission, distribution, and end-use of natural gas in Canada. NGIF is offering an industry grant up to $500,000 (CAD) per project, representing as much as 33% of a project’s eligible expenses.

“Our largest Innovation Challenge to date aims to harness ideas to develop and scale technologically and economically impactful solutions in the natural gas sector,” says John Adams, NGIF Capital Corporation President and CEO. “Developing low-emission and resilient technology is key to enhancing our sector’s leading environmental performance.”

NGIF is accepting industry grant funding applications for innovations that have the potential to generate significant environmental and economic performance benefits in the following strategic focus areas:

  1. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
  2. Hydrogen
  3. Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization
  4. Heat Pumps and Micro-CHP
  5. Transportation
  6. Waste Heat Utilization
  7. Water Management

Since 2017, NGIF has fostered a trusted partnership model encouraging the commercialization of clean technologies to support economic growth, job creation, and emission reductions across Canada. As Trusted Partners, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Alberta Innovates (AI), Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Geoscience BC, Innovation Saskatchewan, the Province of British Columbia’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation engage on various funding competitions. Orchestrated through NGIF Industry Grants, start-ups and SMEs can apply for funding through a harmonized review process. This model provides Trusted Partners with access to pre-qualified deal flow selected by NGIF’s Innovation Committee.

“NGIF’s trusted partnership model has resulted in a strong portfolio of projects with federal, provincial and industry support,” says Adams. “Working together with our trusted partners accelerates innovation faster to commercialization.”

Interested applicants should download the Applicant’s Guide, which provides information on investment priorities, eligible expenses, and conditions on funding. The deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI) is July 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST. More information on NGIF’s Innovation Challenge can be found at www.ngif.ca.

Quotes
“Through this collaboration, we are supporting innovations that will grow B.C.’s world-leading clean tech sector and create good jobs. The technologies and ideas needed for the transition to a low-carbon future will drive economic growth and provide opportunities for B.C. businesses.”

Bruce Ralston, BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

“Maintaining our leadership in emerging technology development and deployment is crucial to Ontario’s success. Through our partnership with NGIF, we are accelerating the commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies and helping startups get the tools they need to scale and succeed in the global marketplace.”

Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of The Ontario Centre of Innovation

“Supporting clean innovation is a critical component to meeting emission reduction in British Columbia and across the county. We are proud to partner with NGIF Industry Grants and look forward helping reduce emissions, boosting economic development, and ensuring a competitive energy future.”

Carlos Salas, Geoscience BC Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer

“When the Canadian Gas Association launched NGIF several years ago, we had a vision of the full natural gas value chain driving innovation for the sector. I’m excited to see how NGIF has brought this vision to life, and how its support of cleantech and startups will continue advancing innovation and environmental performance for the natural gas sector. The technologies supported by NGIF Industry Grants will not only benefit the sector, but Canadians’ continued access to clean, affordable and reliable energy.”

Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association and Chair of NGIF Capital Corporation

About NGIF Industry Grants
Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) Industry Grants is a first-of-kind, industry-led grant organization created by the Canadian Gas Association to fund early-stage startups developing solutions to environmental and other challenges facing Canada’s natural gas sector. NGIF Industry Grants develops, demonstrates and de-risks these technology solutions through field trials and pilot projects to drive innovation and support environmental goals in Canada. NGIF Industry Grants’ investment focus is on existing natural gas production, transmission, distribution, storage, and end-use applications, as well as projects that will lead to the expanded production of emerging gaseous fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen. The organization has built a portfolio of startups, trusted partnerships with government for co-funding opportunities, and a robust technical evaluation investment model. NGIF Industry Grants is operated by NGIF Capital Corporation.

About CGA
The Canadian Gas Association is the voice of Canada’s natural gas delivery industry. Its membership includes natural gas distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers to the industry. Our utility members are active in eight provinces and one territory and meet 35 per cent of Canadians’ energy needs through a network of over 566,000 kilometers of underground infrastructure. This infrastructure can also be used to deliver renewable gases including renewable natural gas and hydrogen, in order to contribute to Canada’s greenhouse gas emission reductions. Today, over 7.2 million customer locations representing approximately two-thirds of Canadians, rely on natural gas for clean, affordable and reliable heating and power. CGA owns CGA Enterprises, which in turn owns NGIF Capital Corporation.

Media Information:
Sarah Robinson
Manager, Communications
NGIF Capital Corporation
613-282-1126
s[email protected]
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Managing Partner, NGIF Cleantech Ventures
613-748-0057
[email protected]

Related Resources

At NGIF, we invest in companies who are leading in the development of clean technologies for energy and who have the potential to demonstrate significant and quantifiable environmental and economic returns.

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