Clean tech funding shortlist announced

The Natural Gas Innovation Fund (NGIF) has announced a semi-finalist shortlist for its Round 4, Stage 1 funding competition for clean technologies both in the production and end-use distribution of natural gas.

The NGIF was created by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) to support the funding of cleantech innovation in the natural gas value chain. It seeks to fill a technology development gap in the sector and invest in innovation enabling natural gas solutions for current and emerging challenges facing Canada’s energy system.

In 2018, NGIF launched a $1 million funding call targeting clean technologies as well as new innovative approaches for more efficient use of natural gas in residential and small commercial applications. Also in 2018, NGIF announced a $3 million funding call targeting clean technologies that will drive environmental performance and GHG reduction in the development and production of natural gas. After undergoing NGIF’s Stage 1 industry peer review process, 18 semi-finalists in total have been invited to submit investment proposals in Round 4 Stage 2 where NGIF will pursue a deeper evaluation and due diligence on each applicant and project.

Among those who made the cut are Marnoch Thermal Power's "Demonstration of power generation using low enthalpy heat from natural gas stranded assets."

The other is  RadMax Technologies' "Demonstration of electrical power generation with positive displacement rotary expander at natural gas production letdown point".

At the heart of the RadMax expander is a cam. Changing the cam profile along with intake or exhaust port locations, the the RadMax device can be turned into a compressor, expander, pump or an engine. In a pressure let down situation, typically, an expansion or throttle valve leads to a change in internal energy but no useful work is done. The RadMax device is a positive displacement expander that converts the pressure energy into useful work. High internal expansion ratios are claimed up to 20:1 to enable direct coupling to a generator.

NGIF, together with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Alberta Innovates (AI), and the Province of British Columbia Innovative Clean Energy ICE Fund (ICE Fund) will collaborate on the producer funding call under trusted partner relationships. To demonstrate their support for the engagement of producers in the fund, NRCan, ERA, AI and ICE Fund will consider co-funding successful NGIF applicants that have projects which deliver significant GHG emission reductions and are located in Canada, Alberta, and British Columbia, respectively.

http://www.ngif.ca/the-natural-gas-innovation-fund-announces-its-round-4-semi-finalists/