Staff at Tourmaline and Perpetual Energy’s West Wolf Lake gas processing plant near Edson. (NGIF Accelerator)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

$15 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS

Alberta invests in methane emission reduction research

Jul 4, 2024 | 4:08 PM

The Alberta government is investing $15 million over five years for the Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) Accelerator’s Emissions Testing Centre program with the goal of testing new technologies, reducing emissions, and creating jobs.

Ideally, the funding will help more Alberta companies test technologies free of charge in both laboratory and live settings, attract investors and get technologies to market faster.

“We are a global leader in reducing methane emissions, and Alberta technologies are being used around the world. We are removing barriers so our talented startup companies can grow their good ideas, create jobs and support a sustainable oil and gas sector for generations to come,” says Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz.

According to provincial officials, Alberta has already reduced methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 45 per cent since 2014, but new technologies and innovations are needed to continue reducing emissions while powering the world. For companies and startups, testing technologies and getting real-world data to move ideas from concept to commercial-ready use is said to be a major barrier.

Officials say the Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) program, established in 2021, provides innovators with free, simulated testing space at the University of Calgary and live testing space at Tourmaline and Perpetual Energy’s West Wolf Lake gas processing plant near Edson, where companies can validate their technologies that measure, monitor or reduce methane emissions.

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“As a proud Emissions Testing Centre partner, Tourmaline is committed to helping develop emerging clean-tech companies while providing real solutions to reduce methane emissions,” says Mike Rose, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Tourmaline Oil Corp. “Not only are these companies pioneering innovative technologies, but they’re also creating tangible benefits, from helping our industry mitigate emissions and reduce operating costs to generating high-quality jobs and opportunities for Albertans. We are excited about the future of the Emissions Testing Centre program and will be able to accelerate the great work underway with this funding support from the Government of Alberta.”

The government says more than 70 companies have tested projects through this program, helping advance clean technologies that are being used across Alberta and around the world. Officials note, the facility lacked long-term funding, so this new funding is expected to ensure the program continues to help companies de-risk and commercialize their innovative technology solutions.

“The Emissions Testing Centre Lab at the University of Calgary offers startups a flexible and safe environment to test their technologies, allowing them to de-risk and refine their innovations before field testing,” says professor Ian Gates, associate vice-president of research and innovation at the University of Calgary. “This testing provides valuable insights that help accelerate the commercialization of their technologies. The funding from the Government of Alberta supports the Emissions Testing Centre’s vital mission to aid clean-tech startups in developing technologies that contribute to emission reduction goals.”

Government officials say the West Wolf Lake gas processing facility is equipped with significantly more sensors and instrumentation than a typical gas processing facility, giving innovators access to data that is not often available at a live operation. Along with the gas processing plant, companies also have access to a network of upstream wellsites, midstream facilities and operations.

Technologies tested to date are said to include a highly efficient small industrial natural gas engine led by Convrg Innovations and Spartan Controls, a MethaneTrack™ system that helps clients meet emissions reduction goals by accurately detecting, locating and quantifying methane emissions led by 360 Engineering and Environmental Consulting Ltd., and a valve that uses solar power to lower operational costs and emissions led by Calscan Solutions.

The government says Alberta’s success in reducing methane emissions has been recognized internationally. Last year, officials say the province hit its 45 per cent methane emissions reduction target three years early by working closely with industry, including early action programs such as carbon offsets, implementation of strong provincial regulatory requirements in place for all facilities, and improved leak detection and repair.