A plant-based protein facility in Lethbridge will soon have thermal energy storage thanks to new provincial funding. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Alberta funds thermal energy storage at Lethbridge food processor

Dec 6, 2023 | 9:19 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has announced funding aimed at reducing emissions.

The province will doll out $31.3 million to nine projects across the province, including one in Lethbridge, through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Partnership Intake Program and Alberta Innovates’ Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge.

Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Shulz said they are expected to reduce emissions by a combined 280,000 tonnes per year, create more than 780 jobs, and inject $272 million into Alberta’s GDP by 2025.

“Alberta is a place of industry visionaries eager to bring their amazing emissions-reduction ideas to life, and this funding shows just how aligned our innovation system is when it comes to advancing transformative technologies that lead to future materials and markets,” said Shulz. “Alberta is proud to support these projects, which will help our province maintain a reliable electricity system and create demand for Alberta bitumen.”

The government said in a news release that PIP Lethbridge will add thermal energy storage at its food processing facility.

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PIP turns yellow peas into a variety of protein products. The facility opened in Lethbridge in May 2022.

PIP Lethbridge CEO Christine Lewington said the provincial funding is critical to demonstrate the capability of their new thermal innovation, adding that it is applicable across many industries.

“By supporting our decarbonization project, we will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind technology in Alberta and Canada,” said Lewington. “With ERA’s funding and partners, together, we will unlock thermal decarbonization options that are desperately needed to reach our GHG reduction goals.”

The other projects aiming to reduce emissions that are set to receive funding include:

• TransAlta to install a new battery system near Cochrane
• Support for Solartility’s trial solar array for agricultural use
• NanosTech to create special on-site oil extraction and upgrading process to reduce emissions and processing costs

The remaining five funded initiatives will turn bitumen into carbon fibre. The province said this will support value-added industries.

The release states, “Diverting bitumen away from the combustion cycle could increase the value of Alberta bitumen resources over 100 per cent from about $60 a barrel to $180 a barrel.”

READ MORE: Pea protein facility opens in Lethbridge

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