Cleantech Challenge Seeks to Reduce GHG Emissions in Canada’s Oil Sands

Vancouver, CANADA – November 2, 2016 — Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre, Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) and Alberta Innovates today announced an ARCTIC Challenge for hot water production technologies.

The challenge aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase energy efficiency by identifying alternative methods for generating hot water for mining and extraction processes in the oil sands.

Other industry sectors that could benefit from these technologies include water treatment, pulp and paper, and other mining sectors.

The ARCTIC Challenge series is run by the Advanced Resource Clean Technology Innovation Centre (ARCTIC), Foresight’s flagship program.

The Mining Hot Water Production Challenge is the first ARCTIC Challenge to be sponsored by the federal and Alberta governments, in partnership with COSIA. It represents the collective ambition of Canadian government and industry to work together on solutions that drive low-carbon, sustainable growth and reduce environmental impacts.

“The Mining Hot Water Production Challenge is a tremendous opportunity for cutting-edge innovators to develop solutions that companies need,” said Neil Huff, Managing Director of Foresight.

“The ARCTIC program connects entrepreneurs with industry on real-life problems, as well as with the funding, support and mentoring they need to develop and commercialize their products.”

“In Canada’s oil sands, we are fortunate to have some of the world’s best minds partnering with COSIA companies,” said Dan Wicklum, COSIA’s chief executive.

“We know that focusing a challenge, and bringing the brightest minds together to face that challenge through successful platforms like the ARCTIC program, propels us towards solutions.”

“Alberta is showing the world its leadership in addressing the environmental performance of our oil sands sectors,” says Dr. Pam Valentine, Interim CEO of Alberta Innovates.

“Alberta Innovates has the unique ability to foster provincial research and innovation in response to complex challenges in core sectors such as energy and the environment,” said Dr. Pamela Valentine, Interim CEO, Alberta Innovates. “Our goal is to ensure our province can compete globally with made-in-Alberta solutions.”

The deadline for proposals is December 16, 2016. Shortlisted candidates will be selected in January 2017, followed by a Challenge Sprint process in which a total of $500,000 in funding will be available for two to five candidates to advance their solutions.

Following the Challenge Sprint, one solution will be selected for additional funding for field testing. Full details are available here: http://arctic.foresightcac.com/arctic-challenges/sprint-3-mining-hot-water-production-cosia/.

The ARCTIC program is funded with support from Western Economic Diversification (WD), BC Innovation Council (BCIC), and NRC-IRAP.

The Mining Hot Water Production Challenge is also made possible through the financial support of Alberta Innovates and industry partner COSIA, and the advisory services of consulting partners Tessellate Inc. and The Delphi Group.