Alberta Funds CCS, Mineral Sectors

Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The provincial government of Alberta said it was investing millions of dollars in energy diversification, backing everything from critical minerals to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Alberta said it would invest up to US$9.2 million in industry-backed funds to support projects that would strengthen the grid, store carbon and extract the minerals used in batteries.

"By helping support these new technologies, we are showing how our unique geology can help grow the energy sector, strengthen the grid, and create more high-paying jobs for Albertans for decades to come," said Rebecca Shulz, the provincial minister for the environment, on Tuesday.

Carbon Management Canada (Calgary, Alberta) will receive C$2.7 million to test a monitoring system for underground carbon sequestration. The company is already working on a test facility in Newell County, Alberta, to research the best practices for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage monitoring.

IIR Energy is tracking dozens of separate projects tied to carbon sequestration in Western Canada, with a total investment value of US$43 billion. The largest in terms of value is Shell plc's (London, England) Quest project in Alberta.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project Database can learn more about the Quest development in a detailed project report.

LithiumBank Resources (Vancouver, British Columbia) will receive C$2.8 million to explore ways to extract battery-quality lithium out of the brine located in an underground aquifer in northern Alberta. Efforts to find lithium straddles both sides of the border, with project developer TerraVolta Resources (Houston, Texas) looking to draw lithium from brine solutions at its Liberty Owl facility in Arkansas.

Subscribers can learn more about Liberty Owl in a detailed project report.

Elsewhere in Canada, Cache Power (Calgary) will receive $3.6 million to support its Marguerite Lake Compressed Air Energy Storage Demonstration Project. The company takes energy from the grid during off-peak hours to compress air in a salt cavern. The air expands through reheating during peak hours and that expansion can generate energy to return to the grid.

Subscribers can learn more about Marguerite Lake in a detailed project report.

"This investment helps position Alberta as a leader in innovative, long-duration energy storage and supports the province's goals of building a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity system, while also advancing energy partnerships with Indigenous communities," said Jordon Costley, the president of Cache Power.

Alberta's crude oil production supports Canada's overall position as the top oil exporter to the U.S., accounting for about 60% of total U.S. crude oil intake. Bilateral trade between Alberta and the U.S. totaled $138 billion last year, making the U.S. the largest trading partner for the province.

But apart from conventional energy, Alberta is working to position itself at the leading edge of the energy transition. The provincial government believes hydrogen, for example, is a trillion-dollar business globally, adding that Alberta is the clear market leader in Canada.

From energy to timber, Canada is looking to expand its trade and economic options amid mounting tariff pressures from U.S. President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday said he would offer a $507 million loan guarantee to support the nation's timber industry.

"In the face of a changing global landscape, we are focused on what we can control--building Canada strong with Canadian expertise, using Canadian lumber," Carney said.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project and Plant databases can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).