Ekona in 2024: a Mid-year Update
It’s almost the end of May and things have been going fast and furious this year at Ekona! Here are nine things to know about what we’ve been up to:
1. We met internal performance milestones in late 2023, validating our xCaliber™ reactor in a 200-kilogram-hydrogen-per-day system and preparing the platform for field deployment (read more here). We are preparing to test our “next generation” reactor technology.
2. We continue work on the expansion of our reactor test facility. This full-process integration work includes balance of plant equipment for natural gas compression and hydrogen purification. It’s our goal to complete construction of this Burnaby pilot this year so we can show how a fully integrated methane pyrolysis test and demonstration system works.
3. We continue detailed design work, procurement, and preparation for construction of Ekona Gold Creek, our 1 TPD customer demonstration plant in Alberta (in partnership with ARC Resources). Read more about this exciting project here
4. We are realising our growth plans. As of today, we have 55 Ekonites on staff; that’s about 20 more people than 18 months ago! The Ekona Winston Campus expansion last year doubled our footprint to 20,000 square feet, supporting this growth and giving Team Ekona more room for innovation in brilliance as we work to transform clean hydrogen production!
5. We’ve been telling our story around the world. Since COP28 in Dubai last December, the team has been on the road constantly, talking about our technology, including at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the National Coalition of Chiefs Clean Energy Summit in Calgary, CERAWeek in Houston, the Canada Gas Exhibition and Conference in Vancouver, the Canadian Hydrogen Convention in Edmonton, and the International Gas Research Conference in Banff. We’ve also been on tour to visit partners and hosted many visitor groups at our Burnaby campus.
6. We’re continuing to grow our customer pipeline. Ekona is currently conducting feasibility studies with strategic partners to evaluate our methane pyrolysis solution in various industrial applications. This includes identifying technology and site requirements, evaluation options, preliminary design work, financial modeling and more.
7. We’re continuing to explore carbon markets. This effort includes engaging with the carbon black industry; supporting research and development projects investigating the use of carbon black for different construction materials; and working with research institutes exploring new, innovative uses for carbon black.
8. We continue to be recognized for our cleantech innovation. Ekona just received another Global Clean Tech Challenge award from NGIF (to support the design and installation of Ekona’s first field unit with @ARC Resources). We’ve recently received repeat Foresight50 and Global Cleantech 100 And late last year, our CEO, Chris Reid, was named one of BIV News’ Top 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in BC
9. We maintain strong engagement with non-dilutive funding partners—including NRCan, NRC, IRAP, Emissions Reduction Alberta, CRIN, NGIF, BC CICE, BC Innovative Clean Energy Fund and Alberta Innovates —delivering projects, signing up new programs, and raising more than CAD$21M in project funding to date. See all our funding partners and investors here.
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