New Funding for Carbon Capture Technology Will Break Down the Biggest Barrier to Adoption: Options

CALGARY, ALBERTA, January 29, 2025 – $3.5 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Government of Alberta will enable InnoTech Alberta to make carbon capture storage and utilization (CCUS) technologies more energy efficient, cost-effective, and accessible for widespread industry adoption.

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While existing CCUS technologies will transform the energy industry by reducing the emissions intensity of energy production and use, the next stage of the technology’s evolution is more complicated and costly. Currently, there is one proven version of CCUS technology, but high cost and inflexible design pose barriers to implementation.

The project examines ways to use reusable solvent to capture CO2 from flue gas from the ENMAX / Capital Power Shepard Energy Centre, an electricity generation facility east of Calgary. Microwave heating reduces the energy needed, along with the cost and carbon footprint associated with traditional amine processing.

We have more technologies in development—from new technologies that capture and store emissions directly from the exhaust pipes of heavy haulers to ones that may reduce the need to capture carbon at all. These are key to creating more options at a range of costs for industry to choose from.

Expanding the potential options available is the first step to diversifying any market. By spurring their development now, InnoTech Alberta is ensuring that a broad range of these technologies will be available to help industry continue to reduce emissions.

“Through this joint venture with the Federal government and industry partners, the InnoTech Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre is finding ways to bring down the cost of carbon capture by reducing the energy intensity of solvent-based capture processes using real-world flue gas from the Shepard Energy Centre. The work we do today will help industry and technology providers advance CCUS technologies, reduce CO2 in our atmosphere, and that’s good for everyone.”

Mike MahonCEO, Alberta Innovates and InnoTech Alberta

Background

InnoTech Alberta is receiving $2.5 million in support from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for its Amine Intensification Process project. This unique project will look at ways to reduce the energy required to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flue gas at the Shepard Energy Centre. InnoTech Alberta is also receiving $1 million from the Government of Alberta to advance this Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) project.

The Amine Intensification Process examines ways to use reusable solvent to remove CO2 from the flue gas at the ENMAX / Capital Power Shepard Energy Centre, an electricity generation facility east of Calgary. The challenge of traditional amine processing is the amount of energy required, the cost, and carbon footprint associated with it. Together, the application of microwave technology and the use of water-lean solvent (WLS) are the two components advancing the technology.

The captured CO2 will then be supplied to companies working at the Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre (ACCTC), who are looking to transform CO2 into value-added products like soap, plastic, ethanol, alcohol, and concrete.

The Amine Intensification Project will expand to a pilot-scale project unit able to produce one tonne of amine per day and will be available for demonstration at the ACCTC in 2026.

About InnoTech Alberta

InnoTech Alberta is a leading research and technology organization serving the needs of industry, entrepreneurs, and the public sector. Our leading-edge expertise and industrial-scale research and demonstration facilities accelerate and de-risk technology development and deployment with a focus on industrial solutions and commercial application. We are Alberta’s innovation engine with 100 years of bold ideas that feed, grow, fuel, and build Alberta’s agriculture, energy, environment, and forestry sectors. Visit us at: InnoTechAlberta.ca.