Grant: Extend Innovation Enhancement Grants

NSERC CCI IE grant (2010-2016) supported by regional industry partners has enabled GPRC to advance its*alpha model micro-algae photo-bioreactor (PBR) through rigorous scientific development and verification, into*patent protected P2P Microalgae Technology poised for pre-commercialization. This development was in*response to local needs for GHG emission control and economic development. Grande Prairie Regional*College presents this business- and industry-driven Extend IE proposal to pre-commercialize our new P2P*Microalgae Clean Technology to capture emitted pollutants and to decontaminate them into high-value*bio-products. Industry funding partners are from the waste-to-energy, mining and forestry sectors. Two*partners and one business developer (letter of support) are interested in the purchase and/ or commercialization*of this technology. The project will enable set-up of a pre-commercial pilot located adjacent to one partner's*green energy (biomass) power plant. Emitted flue gas will be directed into the PBR containing algae, water*and nutrients. When exposed to sunlight, algae will photosynthesize (capture carbon other emitted air*pollutants - releasing oxygen) transforming (decontaminating) them into valuable bio-products. This project*will enable production scale verification of; capture efficacies (CO2 et al), bio-products generation, and the*associated business costs (i.e. cost of production). GPRC fully supports this application because the P2P*Initiative 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-kind*contributions from long-term industry partners in engineering, business analysis, financing, and*commercialization planning; and 4) the support from /regional industry and communities.