Future
Proofing
Alberta
2025-2028
Business Plan
OUR VISION is for Alberta to have a diversified economy with competitive industries that deliver sustainable environmental outcomes and attract investment.
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND CEO
“Now more than ever, it’s important for Alberta and Canada to boost investments in scaling up and deploying clean technology, especially in areas where we are a proven leader… It’s important to note, these investments are as much about enhancing industrial competitiveness as they are about reducing emissions.”
Kelly J. Ogle
Board Chair, ERA
“This Business Plan outlines our strategic priorities, our areas of focus for investment, and the actions we will take to deliver on our mandate—specifically driving investment in high-risk, high-reward opportunities and first-of-kind initiatives that align with strategic priorities for Alberta.”
Justin Riemer
CEO, ERA
Projected Portfolio IMPACT
Technology Innovation Funding
Economic Outcomes
Environmental Impact
Efficiency Incentive Programming
map of era-funded projects
ERA’s new interactive project map allows you to easily pinpoint funded projects across Alberta, from Fort McMurray to Medicine Hat, Grand Prairie to Lethbridge, Edmonton to Exshaw, Calgary to Camrose, and hundreds of towns and hamlets in between.
Projects
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Buildings
Chiller Plant Model Predictive Control
Mariner Partners Inc. (parent company of Shift Energy)
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $4,200,000Funding amount: $1,100,000Status: ActiveType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 5,120 tCO2e -
Buildings
Transforming Energy Infrastructure of Alberta’s Warehouse Logistics and Distribution Industry including Food Distribution: Grid-Interactive Microgrid System
Fare Vostro Energy Solutions Inc.
Project type: DevelopmentProject value: $17,800,000Funding amount: $7,000,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 4,779 tCO2e -
Waste
PRWMC Expansion of the WTE Facility from Pilot to Full Capital Project and GHG Avoidance Expansion
Peace Regional Waste Management Company (PRWMC)
Project type: ImplementationProject value: $23,000,000Funding amount: $5,000,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 13,263 tCO2e -
Waste
Town of Cardston – MABR Pilot
Town of Cardston
Project type: ImplementationProject value: $17,900,000Funding amount: $5,000,000Status: ActiveProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 423 tCO2e -
Electricity
Marguerite Lake Compressed Air Energy Storage Demonstration Project
Cache Power Corp.
Project type: R&DProject value: $15,800,000Funding amount: $5,000,000Status: ActiveType of organization: SME -
Heavy Industry – Others
LithiumBank Boardwalk Project
LithiumBank Resources Corp.
Project type: PilotProject value: $10,500,000Funding amount: $3,900,000Status: ActiveType of organization: SME -
New Industry
Advanced Multi-Physics Sparse monitoring (AMPS)
Carbon Management Canada Inc.
Project type: PilotProject value: $8,800,000Funding amount: $3,800,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SME -
New Industry
High-Grade Activated Carbon Electrode Material Production Facility for Supercapacitors
Atlas Power Technologies Inc.
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $6,490,000Funding amount: $1,450,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SME -
Electricity
Demonstration of Novel Membranes and Electrolyte for Salt Water Flow Batteries
Aqua-Cell Energy Inc.
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $1,860,000Funding amount: $847,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 117 tCO2e -
Heavy Industry – Others
PHA Biopolymer Commercialization
TerraVerdae BioWorks
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $2,500,000Funding amount: $1,250,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SME -
Heavy Industry – Others
MHP Refinery Project
Sherritt International Corporation
Project type: DevelopmentProject value: $7,190,000Funding amount: $2,420,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: Large -
O&G – Oil Sands
Advanced Bio-Solvent utilization for Solvent Assisted SAGD Performance Improvement
BioOilSolv
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $12,400,000Funding amount: $4,600,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 12,365 tCO2e -
Waste
New Pilot Facility to Convert Municipal Solid Waste into Wilson Fiber
Hughes Energy, LLC
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $12,000,000Funding amount: $5,000,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 4,026 tCO2e -
New Industry
High-Performance Contact Paste Materials for Electrolyzer Pilot System
SeeO2 Energy Inc
Project type: DevelopmentProject value: $500,000Funding amount: $250,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 10 tCO2e -
Waste
Recycling Agricultural Film and Plastics
Curtis Construction
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $10,900,000Funding amount: $2,500,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 47,483 tCO2e -
New Industry
Tourmaline Compressor Engine CCS, Cielo-CarbonQuest
Cielo Carbon Solutions
Project type: DevelopmentProject value: $4,200,000Funding amount: $2,100,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SME -
O&G – Conventional
Insulated Drill Pipe for Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Super Hot Dry Rock
Pro-Pipe Service and Sales Ltd.
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $4,210,000Funding amount: $1,000,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 107 tCO2e -
New Industry
Carbon Nanofiber Commerical Demonstration
Carbonova Corporation
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $12,500,000Funding amount: $4,380,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SME -
Waste
PlasCred Neos
Plascred Circular Innovations
Project type: DemonstrationProject value: $25,000,000Funding amount: $5,000,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: SMEProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 298,834 tCO2e -
Heavy Industry – Others
Upcycling Recycled Polyethylene Using Advanced Compounding Technologies
NOVA Chemicals Corporation
Project type: DevelopmentProject value: $9,340,000Funding amount: $4,670,000Status: Contribution AgreementType of organization: LargeProject Emissions Reductions by 2030: 831 tCO2e
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES
ERA’s strategy is built around three clear priorities. Together, they position Alberta to remain prosperous and competitive and to lead the global low-carbon economy.
ACCELERATE TECHNOLOGY
MANAGE AND INVEST IN A BALANCED PORTFOLIO
ERA’s Technology Roadmap (TRM) guides funding allocation across a diverse portfolio, encompassing technologies, sectors, regions, and levels of risk, to ensure a balanced impact. Its five focus areas adopt a multi-pathway approach to maximize emissions reductions, stimulate economic growth, and support Alberta’s environmental and energy development priorities.
DELIVER COMPETITIVE FUNDING CALLS
For the term of this Business Plan, ERA anticipates delivering two major competitive funding calls annually.
Industrial Transformation Challenge
Scheduled for each spring, the Industrial Transformation Challenge improves Alberta’s competitiveness and environmental performance through de-risking, demonstrating, and deploying a wide range of solutions that offer the potential for significant improvements in the province’s major industries.
Annual Targeted Calls
Launched each fall, targeted calls help address specific strategic needs based on ongoing analysis of the innovation landscape, technology trends, and industry needs. These calls are intended to complement the annual Industrial Transformation Challenge and draw upon themes from the TRM and other sources.
Potential focus areas include:
- Digital Optimization and Resource Efficiency
- Nature-Based Solutions and Resiliency
- Fuels of the Future
EXPAND THE PROJECT PIPELINE FOR THE CONTINUOUS INTAKE PROGRAM
Aside from competitive funding calls, ERA accepts high-potential projects year-round via its Continuous Intake Program. ERA will expand the project pipeline by accepting applications that include solutions with additional environmental benefits beyond emissions reductions, including improved water, air, and soil quality, land use, and waste management.
Core to the Continuous Intake Program is a referral process that allows ERA to evaluate proposed projects referred by Trusted Partners, organizations with rigorous, fair, and transparent processes comparable to ERA’s. This approach allows ERA to leverage funds and due diligence, share risk, and reduce administrative burden for applicants.
DRIVE COMMERCIALIZATION
DELIVER THE STRATEGIC ENERGY MANAGEMENT FOR INDUSTRY PROGRAM
In October 2024, ERA launched the Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program. This $50 million program, with funding provided by the Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), supports the province’s industrial and manufacturing sectors to build internal capacity, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions.
INCREASE AND STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
ERA will continue to build a broader suite of partnerships along the innovation continuum. This will enhance ERA’s role as a convener in connecting innovators to the right resources based on their technology and business maturity. It will also allow ERA to gain deeper knowledge of high-potential technologies as they advance toward the demonstration and commercialization stages.
PARTICIPATE IN THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP (CETP)
ERA is a member of the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), a transnational initiative for joint research, technological development, and innovation programming. The initiative enables 50 national and regional funding partners from 30 countries to align on priorities and pool budgets for annual funding calls through 2027.
MANAGE THE INNOVATOR SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM
In 2024, ERA relaunched the Innovator Support Services Program, pairing ERA proponents with curated experts who provide advisory services to strengthen business success. It offers strategic support that enhances commercial readiness and expands pathways to commercialization.
LEVERAGE THE LAB SERVICES INCENTIVES PROGRAM PILOT
ERA committed $1 million to the Lab Services Incentive Program. The pilot aims to enhance collaboration and access to lab services for early-stage technology developers in Alberta. It is designed to offer easier access, greater efficiency, and improved affordability for lab services.
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE NEXT GENERATION ENERGY INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Decentralized Energy Canada’s (DEC) is working with the City of Medicine Hat to accelerate the adoption of near-commercial innovative energy technologies. In 2025-26, ERA will continue to support DEC with the second intake of its Next Generation Energy Innovation Challenge. ERA has already committed $100,000 in funding and will provide emissions quantification support as an in-kind service for Challenge winners.
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR CCUS RESEARCH
ERA and the International CCS Knowledge Centre continue to advance Carbon Capture Kickstart Challenge projects, share learnings from these studies, and support waterSMART in its work to understand the water impacts of CCUS in Alberta.
SUPPORT OTHER STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AREAS
ERA provides various supports, including leading studies, technical expertise, funding for regional technical or knowledge hubs, and resources to develop whitepapers, presentations, and conference speaker participation.
MAXIMIZE IMPACT
HOST AND PARTICIPATE IN STRATEGIC EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND CONFERENCES
Leveraging industry connections and government influencers will continue to build ERA’s credibility as a convener across the innovation system and an accelerator of the commercialization and adoption of emissions-reducing technologies. To create the greatest impact, ERA will organize key events and take part in international events that offer the best opportunities to have a reputational impact.
DEVELOP IMPACT STORIES
From 2025-28, ERA will build on its existing content strategy centered around these stories. ERA’s content strategy will continue to focus on project and portfolio success stories, ERA-supported white papers, and project learnings. The content will be distributed across various communication platforms. Discover more about ERA’s impact by reading our Impact Stories, watching our Funded Series, or listening to our Carbon Copy podcast.
SECURE MEDIA COVERAGE
ERA will continue to pursue earned media coverage from top-tier news organizations at the provincial, national, and international levels. This will include generating media coverage to share the Alberta clean technology and economic development story. ERA will work closely with project proponents and partners on their media relations activities to amplify ERA’s investments.
ENHANCE ERA’S OPEN DATA PORTAL
In 2024, ERA launched its Open Data Portal, a publicly accessible database that increases the transparency and accessibility of our data. The portal shares details of projects and the emissions reductions associated with them, enabling users to obtain a copy of the dataset. In 2025, ERA will enhance the portal’s functionality and introduce new features such as an interactive map, making it even easier for the public to access project information.
QUANTIFY AND REPORT EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
ERA has a vigorous quantification methodology that aligns with industry standards and is applied by a team of experts. In 2025, ERA is reviewing its market emissions forecast policy. Any recommendations from the independent consultant will lead to enhancements of forecasted emissions reductions out to 2050.
IMPLEMENT UPDATED PROJECT REPORTING PROCESSES
Throughout 2025-28, ERA will implement updated processes to collect and share highlights from active projects for various communications tactics, such as newsletters, stewardship reports, videos, and podcasts. This process will also include reviewing final reports at project closeout and developing lessons-learned writeups and knowledge-sharing plans.
QUANTIFY AND REPORT ECONOMIC IMPACT
Ensuring responsible and effective stewardship of public funds requires ERA to track and report metrics on past performance. ERA will continue to refine its analysis to quantify the net economic impact of ERA’s emissions reduction investments. This quantification includes direct benefits from economic activities advanced through ERA-funded projects.
