Moving on its pledge to double national clean energy research and development funding, Canada has established a new Clean Energy Innovation Program. The $25 million (CAD) program seeks to commercialize clean energy technologies, including carbon capture and storage. “We know the important role clean technology will play in our transition to a lower carbon economy,” Jim Carr, Canada’s natural resources minister, said in an Aug. 18 press release.
In December, at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Canada joined 19 other nations and the European Union in announcing the formation of Mission Innovation. Under the initiative, the nations pledged to double their clean energy research and development funding; for Canada that pledge amounts to an additional $387 million annually by 2020. “Through Mission Innovation, we’re making important investments to help our entrepreneurs research, develop and demonstrate the use of clean energy technologies,” Carr said.
The government is now seeking applications for the new Clean Energy Innovation Program. Proposals are being sought in a number of R&D areas: renewable, smart grid and storage systems; reducing diesel use by industrial operators in northern and remote communities; addressing methane and volatile organic compounds; reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector; carbon capture, use, and storage; and improving industrial efficiency. Applicants must be from Canada. Submissions can be completed online and are due by Oct. 31.
