Two proposed projects worth a combined $27 million to pilot and demonstrate new technologies have been granted funding to help launch them in Innisfail and Sundre.
Hughes Energy plans to develop a $12 million demonstration facility in Innisfail to convert municipal solid waste into homogeneous fiber which can be used for cardboard manufacturing, biofuels, green hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel.
The provincial government announced last week it was providing $5 million toward the project through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program.
It was one of 18 projects to share in up to a $49 million disbursement through the program.
“Support from the provincial government through Emissions Reduction Alberta is instrumental in launching our organics processing pilot facility in Alberta,” said Dane McSpedon, Hughes Energy Group’s chief executive officer, in the province's funding announcement.
“By converting organic material into clean, high-value cellulosic fiber, we’re helping avoid methane emissions from landfills and creating low-carbon feedstocks that support decarbonization across multiple downstream industries,” he said.
Meanwhile, a project planned for Sundre is also receiving funding through the program.
FutEra Power Corp. plans to construct a $15 million closed loop geothermal pilot project. It will receive $5 million through the TIER program.
The TIER fund uses industry dollars to help Alberta facilities invest in innovative emissions-reduction technology to stay globally competitive, create jobs and save money, according to the government.
The 18 projects will reduce about 3.4 million tonnes of emissions by 2030, the government says, and will create close to 1,600 jobs and inject $233 million into Alberta’s economy.
While Emissions Reduction Alberta did not release info on FutEra Power Corp. plans for Sundre, it did give some details of Hughes Energy's proposal for Innisfail.
This project, according to Emissions Reduction Alberta, aims to demonstrate the scalability and efficiency of the Hughes System as a step towards commercial-scale operations.
"The modular design of the pilot facility will enable optimization of system performance, validation of feedstock and product quality, and the establishment of long-term partnerships with municipalities and off-takers. At full-scale commercial operation, the facility is projected to process up to 170,000 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) annually, diverting this amount from landfills and reducing approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year," it says.
The project is expected to create three to five full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and 25-35 indirect jobs during the pilot phase, with 50 FTEs and 250-300 indirect jobs anticipated at the commercial scale.
"Economically, the initiative will attract investment, establish a new value chain for MSW, and enhance cost competitiveness in waste management and renewable energy sectors. By reducing landfill waste and producing renewable products, this project aligns with Alberta’s circular economy goals and contributes to substantial GHG emissions reductions," notes Emissions Reduction Alberta on its project list.
