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Province investing in new clean technology challenge

Jul 18, 2018 | 1:39 PM

CALGARY – The provincial government and Emissions Reduction Alberta are encouraging biotechnology, electricity and sustainable transportation innovators to develop new clean-technology projects to cut their energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A release from the province states the BEST Challenge supports industry with innovations, including bio-jet opportunities developed in Alberta.

Up to $70 million, provided by the government, is available through the Emissions Reduction Alberta Biotechnology, Electricity and Sustainable Transportation Challenge.

The challenge will help attract new investment, create jobs, cut energy costs, deliver improved environmental outcomes and build a more diversified economy according to the release.

Shannon Phillips, the Minister of Environment and Parks and the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change, says they’re looking for innovative technologies that will strengthen Alberta’s economy and reduce GHG emissions.

“This challenge reinforces the benefits of working across sectors to find clean technology solutions. As always, Albertans are the source of innovation and we are proud to support made-in-Alberta projects.”

The three focus areas in the BEST Challenge, biotechnology, electricity and sustainable transportation, account for up to 40 per cent of Alberta’s annual GHG emissions.

ERA’s BEST Challenge is open to technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs and individuals.

Emissions Reduction Alberta CEO Steve MacDonald stated working across sectors which share similar policy, technical and economic challenges increase the opportunity to break down barriers.

“Successful projects will reduce GHGs and accelerate scale-up of new value-added products and services that support economic growth, community health and environmental leadership on a local, national and global scale,” he added.

Proposals can address a single industry or span across multiple industries. Eligible technologies can come from anywhere the world, but projects must be piloted, demonstrated or implemented in Alberta.

One of the challenge’s focus areas is sustainable transportation. Through the challenge, ERA will seek new opportunities for supporting more fuel-efficient aviation technology.

WestJet vice-president of Industry, Corporate and Airport Affairs Mike McNaney says his company will be a leader in the transition to low-carbon, sustainable air travel.

“As we continue our growth plan using our young, modern fleet of fuel-efficient aircraft, we see affordable, sustainable jet fuel as the best opportunity to further reduce CO2 emissions from aviation,” McNaney continued. “We support initiatives such as the BEST Challenge to encourage creative and innovative approaches to the development and commercialization of clean fuel technologies here in Alberta.”

You can count Air Canada as another supporter.

“Air Canada supports the advancement of innovative solutions to improve aviation’s environmental performance and welcomes the announcement by ERA to invest in sustainable transportation solutions. Air Canada has improved its fuel efficiency by 43 per cent since 1990 and is investing $10 billion in a fuel-efficient fleet,” Environmental Affairs Director Teresa Ehman said, adding to date they’ve operated eight biofuel flights and will continue to advocate for the development of sustainable aviation biofuels in Canada.

Projects are selected through a rigorous and competitive process and the application deadline is Sept. 13, 2018.