Energy Innovation Challenge Launches $2.4M Program to Diversify Alberta's Energy Economy

Source: | · DECENTRALISED ENERGY CANADA · | May 10, 2024

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 10, 2024) - Decentralised Energy Canada (DEC) and the City of Medicine Hat are proud to announce the launch of the Energy Innovation Challenge (the Challenge), a groundbreaking three-year program aimed at empowering small and medium-sized Canadian businesses to overcome commercialization obstacles and bring their innovations to market.

"This program is timely, important and may contribute to solving energy problems that can impact Albertans," said Anouk Kendall, President of DEC. "The cost and reliability of electricity in Alberta are growing concerns as aging electricity infrastructure, increased grid congestion and increasing regularity of extreme weather events take their toll."

The Energy Innovation Challenge was launched to support small businesses with promising decentralised energy solutions. The Challenge is the first of its kind in Alberta and has two main objectives: to pilot innovations that address grid congestion issues, and leverage government investment and private capital to strengthen the economy.

"The Challenge provides Canadian innovators with a platform to demonstrate decentralised energy solutions and the technical and economic benefits they bring to Alberta," added Kendall. "This exciting program has the potential to create multiple, tangible outcomes."

Public and private sector supporters come together

Multiple supporters came together to make the Challenge, which will be facilitated by DEC, a reality. The $2.4 million of program funding was sourced from government and private capital, including contributions from Decentralised Energy Canada, Prairies Economic Development Canada, Emissions Reduction Alberta, Natural Resources Canada, the City of Medicine Hat, Valhalla Private Capital, and APEX Alberta. PrairiesCan, the federal department that supports economic growth and diversification in the Prairie provinces, contributed $1.2M through its Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) Program.

"We are working with industry and all levels of government to support emission reduction targets while creating new opportunities for investment and innovation on the Prairies," said the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. "It's why we launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy and why we are investing in initiatives like this Energy Innovation Challenge. The community-based approach of this initiative recognizes the unique needs of southern Alberta and will support the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies that will work in the Prairies and around the globe."

"The Government of Canada is taking action to fight climate change and to strengthen our economy," said George Chahal, MP for Calgary Skyview. "By supporting innovations that advance Canda's transition to a cleaner economy we're creating new and sustainable economic opportunities for Albertans while ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations."

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