August 25, 2020 – Ottawa, ON
Natural Gas Innovation Fund
The Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) is pleased to announce the successful project completion by one of its portfolio start-ups G4 Insights Inc. The project included a field demonstration that took forestry industry biomass and transformed it into pipeline grade renewable natural gas (RNG).
G4 Insights’ demonstration project, which began in March 2017, was made possible through a federal, provincial, and industry partnership including NGIF, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Alberta Innovates, ATCO and FPInnovations, who collectively invested a total of $2.8 million in grants and in-kind contributions.
G4 Insights was able to scale up their low-temperature thermochemical clean technology through a pilot demonstration plant to produce RNG and new subsystems to support full continuous operations. Over 300 hours of demonstration and testing were conducted using a variety of commercially available wood particles and residue supplied through FPInnovations creating RNG that was directly injected into ATCO’s natural gas distribution system at their operations centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
The learnings from this comprehensive pilot demonstration now enables a next step large-scale, first commercial demonstration of RNG from forest biomass, preferably in Canada. The company also has short-term plans to focus on the development of blue hydrogen and green hydrogen.
With respect to benefits to Canada, as the project advances production of natural gas from renewable forest biomass sourced primarily from harvesting and processing residues, it has the potential to diversify Canada’s natural gas energy portfolio, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve industrial efficiencies, and create an economically viable application for underutilized biomass residues. This will add value to forest harvesting residues through the production of RNG and support rural economic diversification by creating employment opportunities to rural communities in forested areas.
Quotes
“We are supporting innovative projects like this start-up by G4 Insights to increase the production and use of low carbon fuels like renewable natural gas. This is how we get to net-zero by 2050.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
“It was a great experience to partner with NGIF and its members, as well as NRCan, Alberta Innovates and FPInnovations to test our PCH technology. This collaboration provided immense support to our technology and we are excited to plan our future commercialization.”
Edson Ng, Principal, G4 Insights Inc.
“Not only can RNG from forest residue reduce emissions and bring clean energy into Canadian homes and buildings – but it also creates exciting opportunities for Canada’s forestry industry. NGIF is excited to see the next commercial demonstration of this RNG clean technology. ”
John Adams, Managing Director, Natural Gas Innovation Fund
Associated Links
G4 Insights
Natural Resources Canada
Natural Gas Innovation Fund
Canadian Gas Association
Alberta Innovates
ATCO
FPInnovations
About G4 Insights Inc.
G4 Insights Inc. is a Vancouver-based company developing and commercializing a proprietary PyroCatalytic Hydrogenation (PCH) process to produce renewable natural gas. PCH is a low temperature thermochemical process that enables large scale, economic production of RNG from biomass. The RNG can be produced on a distributed basis in forestry regions and delivered to end users through existing natural gas pipelines.
About the Natural Gas Innovation Fund
NGIF is an industry-led, industry-funded, granting organization created by the Canadian Gas Association that seeks to accelerate cleantech innovation in the production, pipeline transmission, and end-use of natural gas. In doing so, we aim to improve the environmental and economic performance of all in the sector. Our belief is that affordable, reliable, environmentally sound natural gas is a foundational fuel for Canada’s long-term well-being.
Media Information:
Aysha Raad
Director, Communications
Canadian Gas Association
613-748-0057 ext. 310
araad@cga.ca
Fund Information:
John Adams
Managing Director
Natural Gas Innovation Fund (Fund I) NGIF Cleantech Ventures (Fund II)
613-748-0057 ext. 326
jadams@cga.ca