Ekona Receives $1M from NRCan and Alberta Innovates for 20-tpd Hydrogen Production Plant FEED Study
We’re excited to announce $1 million in new investment from long-time supporters Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Alberta Innovates as we work towards the commercial deployment of our hydrogen production solution. Ekona’s methane pyrolysis platform utilizes existing natural gas infrastructure and is designed to convert natural gas into clean hydrogen and solid carbon. The platform doesn’t rely on carbon capture and storage infrastructure, clean electricity, or water feedstock, and is a pathway to decarbonization for industrial partners.
The funding contributions from NRCan and Alberta Innovates will support ongoing scale-up activities of our technology and the completion of a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study for a 20-tonne-per-day (tpd) commercial clean hydrogen production plant in Alberta.
“We are grateful for partners who share our vision. With their support, we’ve developed our xCaliber™ reactor technology, assembled an integrated pilot plant at Burnaby test facility, and now we’re taking the technology into the field with Ekona Gold Creek,” says Gary Schubak, Ekona’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The 20-tpd FEED study is an important next step that will help us better understand the design considerations for commercial scaling.”
Ekona Gold Creek is a one-tonne-per-day clean hydrogen field demonstration in partnership with ARC Resources at ARC’s Gold Creek Natural Gas Plant near Grande Prairie, Alberta. We are currently in the construction and commissioning phase of the project (read the latest update here).
“Ekona continues to lead critical innovations in the clean hydrogen space and is offering solutions that will help to decarbonize key industries,” says the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “By investing in projects like the Ekona Gold Creek plant, we are investing in innovation, job creation, and the economic opportunities of the growing global demand for hydrogen. The Government of Canada is working closely with industry partners to build the state-of-the-art technologies that will help achieve Canada’s climate objectives.”
NRCan’s funding comes through the Energy Innovation Program, which supports clean energy research, development, and demonstration projects to help Canada meet climate targets and transition to a low-carbon economy. Alberta Innovates’ funding comes through its Advancing Hydrogen program, available under the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, in partnership with NRCan and Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
“We are driving the hydrogen economy by investing in projects like Ekona’s,” observes Ericka Rios, Clean Energy Manager at Alberta Innovates. “Together, we are making strides towards a prosperous and sustainable future.”
Stay tuned for more updates as we progress with this exciting project!
