CALGARY - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural
Resources, along with partners from Innoventures Canada (I-CAN), today announced
funding for a project related to the initial development of the I-CAN Centre for
the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), at the Economic Club in
Calgary.
Under the leadership of the Alberta Research Council, the Saskatchewan
Research Council, Manitoba's Industrial Technology Centre and a Quebec
industrial research centre (Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec), the
I-CAN Centre for the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) will help
develop microalgae systems that could capture up to 100 million tonnes of
CO2 from industrial sources, such as coal-fired plants and oil sands
projects. The microalgae, a valuable source of biomass, would then be converted
into a range of industrial products and by-products such as renewable natural
gas, hydrogen and biofuels.
"This project is a great example of our Government's commitment to finding
new and promising projects that will help take Canada to the next level of
understanding carbon capture, storage and use," said Minister Lunn. "It builds
on our ecoENERGY Initiatives, including the Task Force announced last week by
the Prime Minister. We are serious about delivering real results to Canadians
and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is contributing $100,000 to the first phase
of the project. NRCan funding will support key research and development
activities, and conceptual engineering. These will contribute to a detailed
business case for an integrated pilot facility.
"By bringing together a critical mass of expertise from across Canada, I-CAN
is the right vehicle to tackle large, complex projects to help Canada's economy
innovate, grow and prosper," said John McDougall, President and CEO of the
Alberta Research Council and Chairman of I-CAN. "We are extremely pleased to
have the Government of Canada join us for this important project, which will be
a step forward in finding innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions."
I-CAN acts as a mechanism to combine resources from industry, government and
research organizations to conduct large research and development projects in
Canada. I-CAN's funding partners on this project include Shell Canada Limited,
EPCOR Utilities Inc., Graymont, NRCan and the Government of Alberta.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, along with partners
from Innoventures Canada, today announced funding for a project related to
microalgae systems that could capture up to 100 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide from industrial sources.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain CharronMedia RelationsNatural Resources
CanadaOttawa613-992-4447
Kathleen OlsonActing Director of CommunicationsOffice of the
MinisterNatural Resources
CanadaOttawa613-996-2007
And general public may contact:Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDTTelephone:
613-995-0947TTY: 613-996-4397(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
