Grant: Extend Innovation Enhancement Grants

NSERC CCI IE grant (2010-2016) supported by regional industry partners has enabled GPRC to advance itsalpha model micro-algae photo-bioreactor (PBR) through rigorous scientific development and verification, intopatent protected P2P Microalgae Technology poised for pre-commercialization. This development was inresponse to local needs for GHG emission control and economic development. Grande Prairie RegionalCollege presents this business- and industry-driven Extend IE proposal to pre-commercialize our new P2PMicroalgae Clean Technology to capture emitted pollutants and to decontaminate them into high-valuebio-products. Industry funding partners are from the waste-to-energy, mining and forestry sectors. Twopartners and one business developer (letter of support) are interested in the purchase and/ or commercializationof this technology. The project will enable set-up of a pre-commercial pilot located adjacent to one partner'sgreen energy (biomass) power plant. Emitted flue gas will be directed into the PBR containing algae, waterand nutrients. When exposed to sunlight, algae will photosynthesize (capture carbon other emitted airpollutants - releasing oxygen) transforming (decontaminating) them into valuable bio-products. This projectwill enable production scale verification of; capture efficacies (CO2 et al), bio-products generation, and theassociated business costs (i.e. cost of production). GPRC fully supports this application because the P2PInitiative has 1) a strong scientifically-competent core research team under demonstrated leadership; 2)established world-class R&D resources and infrastructure in this subject area; 3) strong cash and in-kindcontributions from long-term industry partners in engineering, business analysis, financing, andcommercialization planning; and 4) the support from /regional industry and communities.