As the lead agency for energy and environmental research and innovation in Alberta, Alberta Innovates - Energy and Environment Solutions is focused on the next twenty years of energy and environmental innovation. Technology development is needed to address the challenges of cleaner more efficient production, management of carbon dioxide and water, and the development of renewable and alternative energy sources. Nanotechnology, advanced materials and biological systems are destined to become key technology platforms to achieve breakthroughs in carbon capture and storage, gasification, value-added production and emerging energy.
With these challenges in sight, Alberta Innovates - Energy and Environment Solutions research priorities will focus on advancing oil and gas recovery, value-added refining, clean carbon/coal and emerging technologies to bring cleaner energy supplies to consumers while adding new, renewable sources of energy. By focusing on these research priorities, Alberta Innovates - Energy and Environment Solutions will seek to better integrate environmental programs with resource development and the research needed to transform the energy sector.
The following activities have been identified as our program areas:
Bitumen Upgrading - improve product quality and identify new business opportunities, while reducing environmental impacts, increasing profitability, and lowering capital costs.
Clean Carbon/Coal - demonstrate that the production of electricity and a variety of new products from low value carbons/coals (with virtually no harm to the environment) is technologically and commercially feasible.
Clean Coal Technology Fact Sheet Improved Recovery - develop key recovery technologies to achieve production and reserves targets for both conventional and unconventional resources while minimizing environmental impacts. CO2 and Emissions - develop technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced, while using the captured carbon dioxide for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery. Renewable Energy - advance and adapt technology for alternative energy sources like hydrogen, geothermal, and biomass so they account for a larger portion of the energy mix. Water Use - support new technology to reduce fresh water use per unit of energy produced. Includes tailings ponds management and reclamation. Enhanced Ecology - includes life cycle analysis sustainability index for air, water and land, and biodiversity.
Clean Coal Technology Fact Sheet
Improved Recovery - develop key recovery technologies to achieve production and reserves targets for both conventional and unconventional resources while minimizing environmental impacts.
CO2 and Emissions - develop technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced, while using the captured carbon dioxide for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery.
Renewable Energy - advance and adapt technology for alternative energy sources like hydrogen, geothermal, and biomass so they account for a larger portion of the energy mix.
Water Use - support new technology to reduce fresh water use per unit of energy produced. Includes tailings ponds management and reclamation.
Enhanced Ecology - includes life cycle analysis sustainability index for air, water and land, and biodiversity.