Since 2019, the CleanBC Industry Fund (CIF) has invested more than $244 million into supporting industry projects that directly reduce industrial emissions, accelerate new emissions reduction technologies, and study potential decarbonization opportunities.
To date, total funded CIF projects are expected to reduce more than 9.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions over a 10-year period, which could be the same effect as removing 238,181 cars from the road each year during that time. These numbers are only expected to grow as CIF continues to fund multi-year projects.
CIF has supported:
Beginning in 2024, a new Industrial Electrification (IE) stream will fund electrification projects in partnership with BC Hydro.
EP projects use commercially available technologies to reduce industrial emissions.
2023
In 2023, the Province invested $13.4 million into two emissions-reduction projects and leveraged nearly $35.4 million from industry and partners. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Lafarge at its Richmond Cement Plant in the Mainland/Southwest region of B.C. will upgrade the facility to accept and process additional alternative fuels in order to reduce combustion of natural gas.
Funding: $7.3 million
Emissions reduced: 543,454 tCO2e through 2033
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: The City of Vancouver at its Vancouver Landfill facility in the Mainland/Southwest region of B.C. will expand the current landfill gas collection in order to increase the amount of methane captured from the landfill and reduce fugitive methane emissions. Collected landfill gas will be used beneficially as renewable natural gas for energy or, when necessary, flared.
Funding: $6.15 million
Emissions reduced: 716,325 tCO2e through 2033
2022
In 2022, the Province invested $65 million into 17 emissions-reduction projects, and leveraged nearly $233 million from industry and partners. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project type: Carbon Capture and Storage
Project description: ARC Resources Ltd. at its Dawson III and IV facilities in northeastern B.C. will install carbon capture and storage equipment on process heaters in order to sequester emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $7.42 million
Emissions reduced: 169,480 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: ARC Resources Ltd. at three locations in northeastern B.C. will replace natural gas driven compressors and generators with electric compressors and connect the facility to the B.C. grid in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $1.84 million
Emissions reduced: 52,730 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: ARC Resources Ltd. at its Dawson 01-34 facility in northeastern B.C. will replace natural gas driven compressors with electric compressors and connect the facility to the B.C. grid in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $2.60 million
Emissions reduced: 130,761 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Copper Mountain, at its mine in the Thompson-Okanagan, will replace a diesel mining shovel with an electric mining shovel including associated support equipment in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuel.
Funding: $2.65 million
Emissions reduced: 51,953 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Copper Mountain, at its mine in the Thompson-Okanagan, will replace a diesel mining drill with an electric mining drill including associated support equipment in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $1 million
Emissions reduced: 16,667 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Renewable Energy
Project description: Canadian Natural Resources, at several remote facilities in northeastern B.C., will replace pneumatic devices with solar powered equivalents in order to reduce emissions from methane venting.
Funding: $1.57 million
Emissions reduced: 292,528 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Crew Energy, at its Wilder facility northeastern B.C., will replace natural gas driven compressors and generators with electric compressors and connect the facility to the B.C. grid in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $18.22 million
Emissions reduced: 481,220 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Coeur Silvertip, at its mine in northeastern B.C., will replace site diesel generators and propane heaters with equipment that runs on natural gas in order to improve fuel efficiency.
Funding: $407,000
Emissions reduced: 6,718 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Kruger Products, at its facility in southwestern B.C., will replace an existing dryer hood with an improved paper drying hood in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $700,000
Emissions reduced: 25,077 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Ovintiv, at its Saturn facility in northeastern B.C., will replace natural gas driven compressors with electric compressors and connect the facility to the B.C. grid in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $3.66 million
Emissions reduced: 57,397 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Phase 2 of 3 – Ovintiv, at two facilities in northeastern B.C., will replace natural gas driven compressor engines with higher efficiency models in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $1.30 million
Emissions reduced: 39,048 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Phase 3 of 3 – Ovintiv, at two facilities in northeastern B.C., will replace natural gas driven compressor engines with higher efficiency models in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $1.30 million
Emissions reduced: 38,350 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Pacific Canbriam, at its facility in northeastern B.C., will recover vented gases for use as fuel in order to reduce emissions from methane venting.
Funding: $212,000
Emissions reduced: 3,931 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: PETRONAS, at its Town North facility in northeastern B.C., will install equipment to recover vented gasses and to transport gas by-products for sequestration in order to reduce emissions from flaring.
Funding: $4.06 million
Emissions reduced: 74,259 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Shell Canada, at its Groundbirch Montney facility in northeastern B.C., will replace natural gas driven compressors with electric compressors and connect the facility to the B.C. grid in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $17 million
Emissions reduced: 1,077,099 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Skookumchuck Pulp, at its facility in the Kootenay region of B.C., will replace lime-kiln instrumentation with improved process controls in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $193,000
Emissions reduced: 6,764 tCO2e through 2032
Project type: Methane Capture, Process Improvement
Project description: Tourmaline, at its facility in northeastern B.C., will install equipment to recover vented gases and covert cooler units to electric in order to reduce emissions from vented methane and combustion of fuels.
Funding: $478,000
Emissions reduced: 28,691 tCO2e through 2032
2021
In 2021, CIF invested $74 million into 31 emission-reduction projects, and leveraged nearly $90.7 million from industry and partners. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: ARC Resources will connect their Dawson Creek Processing Plant to the low-carbon BC Hydro electric grid, replacing four onsite natural gas turbine generators that will be retired.
Funding: $13.66 million
Emissions reduced: 1 million tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Fuel Switching, Process Improvement
Project description: Canadian Natural Resources will replace 254 wellsite pneumatic methanol pumps with electric pumps operated by solar energy.
Funding: $2.08 million
Emissions reduced: 298,913 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery, Energy Efficiency
Project description: Canadian Natural Resources will install heat exchangers on each of the two condensate trains at their Fort St. John gas processing facility to transfer the excess heat from the hot outlet condensate to the cold inlet condensate. This will recover waste heat, reducing fuel gas consumption and making the process more energy efficient.
Funding: $282,782
Emissions reduced: 6,336 tCO2e through 2031
Project Type: Fuel Switching
Project Description: Canlin Energy will replace four natural gas compressor drivers and associated equipment with electric alternatives at four compressor stations located near Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
Funding: $708,000
Emissions Reduced: 90,587 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Canlin Energy will replace 21 wellsite pneumatic methanol pumps with electric pumps operated by solar energy near Fort St. John.
Funding: $119,186
Emissions reduced: 12,584 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Catalyst Paper Port Alberni Division will install a new auxiliary hog wood waste feed system at its pulp and paper mill, improving the reliability of biomass fuel supply to the main onsite steam boiler and reducing natural gas use.
Funding: $323,100
Emissions reduced: 24,490 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Catalyst Paper Crofton Division will reduce steam use by improving the efficiency of black liquor evaporation process at its pulp and paper mill. This will reduce natural gas use in the onsite steam boilers.
Funding: $5.85 million
Emissions reduced: 289,393 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Catalyst Paper Port Alberni Division will replace the drum and inner roll on a bark press at the facility with a more efficient system to optimize the wood-waste press system and reduce the amount of natural gas required to burn higher moisture hog.
Funding: $258,500
Emissions reduced: 12,580 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: CertainTeed Gypsum will install a heat exchanger on a gypsum board dryer at their Vancouver manufacturing site. This will recover currently wasted heat and reduce the natural gas consumption of the drying process.
Funding: $1.40 million
Emissions reduced: 25,565 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: The City of Vancouver will install additional landfill gas capture infrastructure to increase the amount of methane captured from the landfill and reduce fugitive emissions. The City of Vancouver is considering possible end uses for the captured gas, which may include selling it for use as renewable natural gas.
Funding: $1.43 million
Emissions reduced: 87,949 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: ConocoPhillips Canada will capture and recover wasted gas flare from the completion flowback processes at an average of nearly 50 wells annually in northeastern B.C. through 2031 by utilizing pressurized gas storage and compression technology.
Funding: $763,886
Emissions reduced: 70,228 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: Crew Energy will utilize a higher efficiency compressor to convert an existing natural gas-fired model at their Wilder Sweet Gas Plant in northeastern B.C., reducing natural gas use.
Funding: $103,308
Emissions reduced: 2,464 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper will upgrade the existing bottom sand hopper of their biomass boiler at its Port Mellon pulp and paper mill in order to reduce maintenance, reduce natural gas consumption, and increase the facility’s capacity to consume waste biomass fuels.
Funding: $347,276
Emissions reduced: 50,630 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper will upgrade an existing system that captures and recycles lime kiln dust to increase efficiency and lower natural gas consumption.
Funding: $522,883
Emissions reduced: 40,153 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Krueger Products will replace propane powered lift trucks with electric trucks at the New Westminster Plant.
Funding: $43,750
Emissions reduced: 660 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Nanaimo Forest Products will install processing, control, and dust collection upgrades to their biomass boiler system at their Harmac Pacific pulp mill in Nanaimo to significantly lower natural gas consumption.
Funding: $12.07 million
Emissions reduced: 296,978 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Nanaimo Forest Products will install upgrades to their largest pulp dryer and building heating and ventilation systems to recover waste heat and lower natural gas consumption at their Harmac Pacific pulp mill in Nanaimo.
Funding: $525,453
Emissions reduced: 22,903 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Newcrest Red Chris Mining will connect to the BC Hydro electricity grid, allowing them to disconnect a diesel generator that currently powers four water pumps, and electrify a separate diesel-powered water pump in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption at the mine.
Funding: $448,243
Emissions reduced: 9,846 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Electrification
Project description: NorthRiver Midstream will connect their Dawson Processing Facility to the low-carbon BC Hydro electrical grid to replace onsite natural gas generation.
Funding: $7.5 million
Emissions reduced: 690,797 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: NorthRiver Midstream will install a waste heat recovery system at their Highway Processing Facility in order to reduce natural gas use in the heat medium system.
Funding: $1 million
Emissions reduced: 72,172 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Carbon Sequestration
Project description: NorthRiver Midstream will install a carbon and acid gas compression and injection system at their McMahon gas plant near Fort St. John to permanently store carbon dioxide rich acid gas in a subsurface reservoir.
Funding: $10 million
Emissions reduced: 1.08 million tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: NorthRiver Midstream will install a system comprised of 15 waste heat recovery units and five diverter valves to capture heat from drivers during unplanned outages and planned maintenance. The installation will reduce the annual overall emissions at the Jedney Facility by exchanging heat from the engine exhausts with the process.
Funding: $3.99 million
Emissions reduced: 177,690 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Energy Efficiency, Process Improvement
Project description: Phase 1 of 3 – Ovintiv will upgrade four Waukesha compressor engines across compression stations in northeastern B.C. to new high-efficiency units. This will reduce the amount of methane leakage and fuel consumed by the older series engines.
Funding: $1.8 million
Emissions reduced: 39,233 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Energy Efficiency, Process Improvement
Project description: Ovintiv will upgrade approximately 78 compressors with more efficient valves across 20 gas processing facilities in northeastern B.C. This will reduce the energy required and fuel needed to continuously run these compressors.
Funding: $2.43 million
Emissions reduced: 73,261 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: PETRONAS will install a vapour recovery unit at a gas processing plant in the Fort St. John area to capture natural gas currently flared and vented to atmosphere and utilize it in the production process.
Funding: $482,320
Emissions reduced: 11,497 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Energy Efficiency, Process Improvement
Project description: PETRONAS will eliminate venting of methane used to operate facility equipment by installing a new instrument air compression system. The air compressor will be run by a set of new 25 kilowatt (kW) generators. The small generators will allow the facility to shut down a set of larger 75kW generators. More efficient generator use will reduce fuel consumption and eliminate methane venting.
Funding: $240,808
Emissions reduced: 6,549 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Process Improvement
Project description: Skookumchuck Pulp will modify their mill’s hog feeding system by improving the conveyor belt system, increasing reliability and reducing natural gas use in their onsite boiler.
Funding: $843,500
Emissions reduced: 59,875 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Storm Resources’ Nig Creek Gas Plant will install a heat exchanger to recover waste heat energy from compressor exhaust. The recovered heat will be used to pre-heat the hot oil system and reduce natural gas combustion.
Funding: $652,500
Emissions reduced: 12,176 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: Tourmaline will connect vented gas capture units on 35 compressors at various processing and compressing stations, recovering natural gas currently vented to the atmosphere.
Funding: $1.46 million
Emissions reduced: 152,488 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: Tourmaline will replace 222 pneumatic drive actuators with electric drive equivalents, eliminating vented natural gas to the atmosphere.
Funding: $707,300
Emissions reduced: 44,596 tCO2e through 2031
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Tourmaline will install five waste-heat exchangers on compressors within their natural gas processing facility. These new waste-heat exchangers are expected to meet the heat demand for the facility, replacing a natural gas fired boiler as the primary heating source for the operation. This will reduce the amount of natural gas necessary for heating and increase the energy efficiency of the facility.
Funding: $2.5 million
Emissions reduced: 49,608 tCO2e through 2031
2020
In 2020, CIF invested $30 million into 21 emissions-reduction projects, and leveraged nearly $51 million from industry and partners. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Canadian Natural will retrofit its three facilities’ pneumatic devices to run on air instead of fuel gas.
Funding: $87,748
Emissions reduced: 38,056 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: The City of Vancouver will expand the current landfill gas collection capacity at the Vancouver Landfill. The work for this project will include horizontal and side slope collectors, vertical wells, header piping with condensate removal, and automated well tuning for high-producing wells.
Funding: $4.26 million
Emissions reduced: 485,967 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Renewable Energy
Project description: ConocoPhillips Canada will replace five gas-driven pumps with five solar-electric pumps at two heritage sites near Fort St. John.
Funding: $51,150
Emissions reduced: 1,597 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy
Project description: Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton will pilot an electric trolley system for haul trucks to transport material from the mine to the surface processing facility. This project expanded the scope of the 2019 CIF-funded Copper Mountain Electric Trolley Project.
Funding: $8 million
Emissions reduced: 29,793 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Crew Energy will install waste heat recovery units at its gas processing facility near Fort St. John. Each waste heat recovery unit will recover additional thermal energy to a new hot oil loop that will be installed as a part of this project.
Funding: $1.26 million
Emissions reduced: 68,047 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Domtar Inc. will replace the generation bank tubes in the #3 wood waste burning boiler at the Kamloops Pulp Mill. This will improve the reliability of the boiler and reduce the need to burn natural gas at the pulp mill.
Funding: $1.75 million
Emissions reduced: 26,935 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: Foothills Pipelines will install new above ground small diameter piping at the TC Energy Crowsnest Compressor Station, with the objective of capturing and utilizing the natural gas that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere during planned blowdown events.
Funding: $364,740
Emissions reduced: 10,081 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Methane Capture
Project description: FortisBC Energy will use Zero Emission Vacuum and Compression mobile compressors in order to reduce the atmospheric venting of natural gas during transmission pipeline maintenance activities.
Funding: $1.08 million
Emissions reduced: 20,378 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Lhoist Canada will install new insulation around the outside of Kiln 1 at the Langley facility. Retaining this insulation will result in improved fuel efficiency and a reduction in natural gas consumed.
Funding: $70,000
Emissions reduced: 1,428 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Methane Reduction, Process Improvement
Project description: Murphy Oil will retrofit high-bleed pneumatic devices to low-bleed pneumatic devices equivalents across numerous well sites in the Dawson Creek area.
Funding: $42,138
Emissions reduced: 5,980 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Pacific Canbriam Energy will retrofit its five pneumatic devices to run on instrument air instead of fuel gas.
Funding: $23,871
Emissions reduced: 1,310 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: PETRONAS will replace nine natural gas driven pneumatic pumps with electric pumps at its seven compressor stations near Fort St. John.
Funding: $526,161
Emissions reduced: 17,432 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: PETRONAS will install electric boilers at its three gas plants near Fort St. John. This project will reduce heat demand on the natural gas fired boilers.
Funding: $265,029
Emissions reduced: 10,645 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Pretium will replace 13 diesel-powered haul trucks with seven electric haul trucks at the Brucejack Mine. These new trucks are emission free and have self-swapping batteries.
Funding: $7.83 million
Emissions reduced: 64,481 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Teck Coal will replace two diesel buses with two zero-emission electric buses that will transport workers from Elkford to the Fording River Mine.
Funding: $410,000
Emissions reduced: 868 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Teck Coal will replace two diesel buses with two zero-emission electric buses that will transport workers from Elkford to the Greenhills Mine.
Funding: $410,000
Emissions reduced: 338 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Teck Coal will have two improvements at its maintenance shop at the Line Creek operation: install heat exchange units between the exhaust and intake air to recover waste heat from the exhaust; and upgrade the fans to variable speed operation in order to reduce airflow during times when the air quality allows.
Funding: $325,000
Emissions reduced: 13,450 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Fuel Switching
Project description: Teck Highland Valley Copper will replace existing tractor trucks with a zero-emissions electric truck that will transport copper concentrate from the Highland Valley Copper Mine to the CN Terminal in Ashcroft, B.C.
Funding: $768,670
Emissions reduced: 3,243 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Tidewater Midstream will upgrade the Prince George Refinery’s #2 Crude Heater to improve energy efficiency.
Funding: $159,588
Emissions reduced: 5,397 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Waste Heat Recovery
Project description: Tourmaline will install four waste heat exchangers at its gas processing facility near Fort St. John. This project will reduce the fuel gas usage at the facility operation and improve the facility greenhouse gas efficiency.
Funding: $1.5 million
Emissions reduced: 81,002 tCO2e through 2030
Project type: Energy Efficiency
Project description: Windset Farms will install thermal curtains at its Delta operation. Adding this insulation will result in improved energy efficiency and a reduction in natural gas consumed.
Funding: $469,032
Emissions reduced: 52,800 tCO2e through 2030
In 2019, CIF invested $10 million into 13 emissions-reduction projects, and leveraged nearly $16.2 million from industry and partners. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
IA projects involve the demonstration, pilot or trial of clean technologies or processes with the potential to reduce emissions for industry in B.C.
2023
In 2023, CIF invested $17 million to support one IA project, and leveraged an additional $21 million from industry and partners. IA projects use earlier-stage clean technologies to demonstrate, pilot and trial innovative solutions for industry emissions problems. The following project has been approved.
Project name: Lime Kiln Decarbonization Through Pulverized Wood Burning
Project description: Skookumchuck Pulp at its Skookumchuck Mill facility in the Kootenay region of B.C. will demonstrate the direct firing of pulverized wood into the lime kiln in order to displace combustion of natural gas without compromising lime production, quality, or reliability.
Funding: $17.18 million
2022
In 2022, CIF invested $22 million to support six IA projects, and leveraged an additional $16 million from industry and partners. These IA projects use earlier-stage clean technologies to demonstrate, pilot and trial innovative solutions for industry emissions problems. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project name: Pressure Energy Recovery Pilot
Project description: FortisBC will demonstrate a technology which recovers pressure energy from natural gas contained in production wells or storage reservoirs and converts it to electricity to power wellsite operations and reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $741,225
Project name: 3D Satellite Methane Detection and Measurement
Project description: The City of Vancouver will demonstrate a technology which locates methane gas within the body of the landfill using satellite-based radar to improve placement of gas collection infrastructure and reduce emissions from fugitive methane.
Funding: $186,750
Project name: Lafarge Carbon Utilization Hub
Project description: Lafarge will demonstrate two technologies which utilize carbon dioxide captured from their facility in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels. One technology will mineralize carbon dioxide into a cement additive and the other technology will produce synthetic fuels.
Funding: $5 million
Project name: Hydrogen Blending Demonstration
Project description: Nanaimo Forest Products, with support from HTEC and FortisBC, will demonstrate blending of hydrogen made by electrolysis into their lime kiln in order to reduce emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $2.99 million
Project name: Carbon Capture Demonstration Pilot
Project description: PETRONAS will demonstrate innovative carbon capture technology and storage on two natural gas fired engines to sequester emissions from combustion of fuels.
Funding: $3 million
Project name: CO2 Utilization and Storage Pilot Project
Project description: Teck Metals will investigate carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and storage opportunities at the Trail smelter facility including underground local basaltic rock formations to sequester emissions from metallurgical processing.
Funding: $10.06 million
2021
In 2021, CIF invested $7.3 million to support four IA projects, and leveraged an additional $7.9 million from industry and partners. These IA projects use earlier-stage clean technologies to demonstrate, pilot and trial innovative solutions for industry emissions problems. The following projects have been approved and are at various stages of development.
Project name: Continuous Methane Detection and Measurement
Project description: ConocoPhillips Canada will pilot and refine a real-time and continuous methane emission detection, measurement, and monitoring solution at their production facilities. This leak detection improves on the current practice of conducting methane fugitive surveys one to three times a year in person, allowing for enhanced ability to detect and reduce fugitive methane emissions.
Funding: $270,946
Project name: FortisBC-Hazer Methane Pyrolysis Hydrogen Production Commercial Demonstration
Project description: FortisBC will deploy a temporary onsite nitrogen pilot test rig for preliminary equipment performance testing using the Hazer Process. The Hazer Process is a thermal catalytic methane pyrolysis technology. The test results will inform further engineering design of the reactor, in order to advance commercialization of the Hazer technology in B.C. to decompose methane into hydrogen and graphite.
Funding: $6.6 million
Project name: Satellite Leak Survey
Project description: Utilizing the natural gas distribution system around Richmond as a testbed, FortisBC will investigate the feasibility of a satellite-based methane detection technology. Learnings will help detect and quantify leaks throughout B.C. along FortisBC Energy Inc.’s natural gas distribution system.
Funding: $127,500
Project name: Continuous Methane Detection and Measurement
Project description: PETRONAS will pilot and refine a real-time and continuous methane emissions detection, measurement, and monitoring solution at their production facilities. This leak detection improves on the current practice of conducting methane fugitive surveys one to three times a year in person, allowing for enhanced ability to detect and reduce fugitive methane emissions.
Funding: $290,116
FS projects support industry to identify, scope and develop projects that would be eligible under the IA or EP streams.
2023
In 2023, CIF invested $1.9 million to support nine FS projects which may help to develop future projects that will reduce industrial emissions across B.C.
Study name: Residual Fibre Haul Renewable Diesel
Study description: Canfor Pulp will explore the potential of renewable diesel as an alternative fuel to reduce emissions in the pulp industry's transportation of raw materials. This study can inform the forestry sector and policymakers about the costs, risks, and benefits associated with future emissions reduction projects in the industry.
Funding: $86,000
Study name: Hog Fuel Offloading and Delivery Optimization
Study description: Catalyst Paper will investigate options to enhance biofuel delivery at the coastal site. Increasing biofuel steam production can reduce natural gas consumption in its power boiler #4 and auxiliary boilers on site.
Funding: $51,000
Study name: Power Boiler Stack Heat Recovery
Study description: Catalyst Paper will investigate the opportunity of installing a heat recovery system in the power boiler exhaust at its site. Recovered heat can offset the heat generated from fuel combustion.
Funding: $94,000
Study name: Power Boiler Stack Heat Recovery
Study description: Creative Energy will provide a detailed assessment of the costs and uncertainties associated with converting the existing steam distribution system to a hot-water system. This assessment can help clarify design details to reduce energy losses and improve district-heating efficiency.
Funding: $398,000
Study name: Eavor-Loop Feasibility
Study description: Creative Energy will investigate the potential for installing a deep geothermal system (Eavor-Loop) for Creative Energy’s Core district energy system in Vancouver. This exploration can guide future plans of utilizing sustainable geothermal energy at the facility.
Funding: $190,000
Study name: Electrification and Carbon Capture Tradeoff Assessment
Study description: NorthRiver Midstream will evaluate tradeoffs between two decarbonization pathways at several facilities. Advancement of work implementing electrification and carbon capture and sequestration will reduce emissions from gas-fired turbines and compressors at the subject sites. This evaluation can guide facilities towards effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding: $180,000
Study name: High-temperature Pyrolysis for Syngas/ Renewable Natural Gas and Biochar from Waste Forestry Residuals
Study description: Skookumchuk Pulp will investigate the use of high-temperature pyrolysis on waste forestry residuals from the B.C. interior to produce high-quality/caloric content syngas while producing high-quality biochar. Syngas can be used to displace natural gas combusted at the facility for heat and electricity generation.
Funding: $111,000
Study name: Electrification of Slag Fuming Furnaces at Trail Operations
Study description: Teck Resources will investigate the use of plasma torches within the smelter at the facility. The use of this technology can lead to significant reductions in coal usage and smelter emissions.
Funding: $490,000
Study name: Sulphur as Fuel in the KIVCET Flash Smelter at Trail Operations
Study description: Teck Resources will investigate the use of sulfur as a fuel in the lead smelter at the facility. This innovation can reduce the combustion of coal in the largest furnace at the facility resulting in lower emissions, while producing additional sulfuric acid product for sale.
Funding: $341,000
2022
In 2022, CIF invested $2.7 million to support 18 FS projects which may help to develop future projects that will reduce industrial emissions across B.C.
Study name: Cariboo Gold Mine Electrification Project
Study description: Barkerville Gold Mines will assess the feasibility of building and operating the first-of-its-kind, all-electric, large-scale underground mining operation at the Cariboo Gold Mine. The study will include a cost-benefit analysis of operating and capital costs comparing electric to diesel and propane equipment. If deemed feasible, the results of this study will support the design, engineering, and clean energy operation of the Cariboo Gold Project.
Funding: $226,928
Study name: Recovery Boiler Advanced Combustion Controls
Study description: Canfor will investigate the potential of an advanced liquor combustion control system for the facility recovery boilers. By improving the efficiency of the recovery boilers, more steam will be generated for the same amount of black liquor combusted. As more steam is produced by the recovery boilers, less steam from the power boiler will be required, resulting in a decrease of natural gas combustion in the power boiler.
Funding: $55,419
Study name: Evaporators Advanced Process Control and Optimization
Study description: Canfor will evaluate how an advanced process control system implemented in the site’s distributed control system can increase hot water production from the evaporators at the Canfor Northwood Pulp Mill. The facility power boiler generates steam which is used to heat water required in the production process by burning biomass and natural gas. Reducing the requirement of steam to heat the water will result in a decrease in natural gas combustion in the power boiler.
Funding: $34,875
Study name: Powerhouse Decarbonization Through APC
Study description: Catalyst Paper will identify emissions-reducing projects through the application of advanced process controls (APC) at the Catalyst Crofton Mill's kraft pulp mill powerhouse and utility area.
Funding: $492,511
Study name: Biosalix Carbon Neutral Mine Reclamation Using Pulp and Paper Residuals
Study description: The study will focus on alternative mine reclamation using process by-products (residuals) from Cariboo Pulp and Paper’s Quesnel mill at Taseko's Gibraltar Mine, a copper mine in McLeese Lake, B.C. Pulp and paper residuals include biosolids, fines, and lime mud. Gibraltar Mine’s tailings may require additional nutrients for successful long-term reclamation. The residuals will be mixed to create a growth medium for use in mine reclamation where willows will be grown for biomass and to further develop soils. Irrigation of reclamation areas using mine tailings water will be assessed.
Funding: $138,173
Study name: GHG Emission Reduction Through Waste-To-Biofuel Hydrothermal Conversion
Study description: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper will demonstrate the use of a technology that processes a mixture of sludge and/or low-quality and salt-laden biomass and converts it into marketable biochar. Currently, this material received by Howe Sound Pulp and Paper is expensive to dispose and requires fossil fuels to process. Howe Sound intends to valorize this low-quality biomass and sludge by converting it into sustainable biofuels and biomaterials.
Funding: $123,375
Study name: Lime Kiln Decarbonization Options Feasibility Study
Study description: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper will investigate the feasibility of utilizing carbon neutral fuels to displace natural gas in the facility lime kiln. Potential carbon neutral fuels include but are not limited to wood powder, gasified biomass, lignin powder, tall oil, liquid methanol, and turpentine.
Funding: $48,675
Study name: Richmond Cement Plant Carbon Capture and Utilization
Study description: Lafarge Canada will evaluate how to increase carbon capture with utilization technology at a commercial scale. Lafarge has been working with Svante since 2019 to demonstrate carbon capture on facility kiln flue gases in order to produce liquid-grade carbon dioxide. A utilization technology would transform the carbon dioxide into a substitute for crude oil known as Syncrude which will be subsequently refined into fuel.
Funding: $306,267
Study name: Kiln Biofuel Feasibility Assessment
Study description: Lhoist Canada will assess the viability of adding a secondary heat source using bio-fuel combustion in order to further pre-heat combustion air entering the kiln. This will reduce the amount of natural gas required to reach the target temperature in the kiln.
Funding: $18,750
Study name: Lime Kiln Decarbonization Study
Study description: Nanaimo Forest Products will evaluate the implications of fuel switching using solid biofuel to replace natural gas consumed in the lime kilns. The kilns currently consume natural gas to produce heat and are one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions on site.
Funding: $102,824
Study name: Lime Kiln Flash Dryer Study
Study description: Nanaimo Forest Products will assess the implications of integrating a lime flash dryer into facility lime kilns. This would reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the kilns by utilizing waste heat to dry and heat the lime prior to entering the kiln.
Funding: $74,084
Study name: Renewable Dimethyl Ether (DME) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Innovation at B.C. Pulp Mill
Study description: Orca Pacific Terminal will determine if there is a business case for producing renewable DME, meeting B.C.'s LCFS and Canada's Clean Fuel Standard, using a technology and processes that converts wood waste to renewable fuel.
Funding: $295,631
Study name: Trolley Assist Study
Study description: Teck Coal will evaluate the feasibility of a trolley assist system in order to reduce carbon emissions from the existing diesel electric truck fleet.
Funding: $150,000
Study name: Microwave Drying
Study description: Teck Metals will investigate the feasibility of electrifying solids drying processes with a microwave system powered by hydroelectricity. Heating for the existing hot-air rotary dryers is from natural gas combustion. Using microwaves may provide more efficient heating and a low carbon footprint.
Funding: $72,600
Study name: Electrification of Molten Pot Heating
Study description: Teck Metals will investigate the feasibility of converting existing natural gas heated molten metal pots to hydroelectric powered induction heating. The refining of lead requires melting and maintaining metal in a molten state. Induction heating may provide the required heat more efficiently and with a lower carbon footprint.
Funding: $114,000
Study name: Prince George Refinery - Steam Methane Reformer Carbon Capture & Sequestration
Study description: Tidewater Midstream will advance a carbon capture and sequestration study which was conducted in 2021. The focus of this study will be on the capture of carbon dioxide from one steam methane reformer at the refinery and subsequent considerations for liquefaction, transportation, and sequestration of the estimated 148 tonnes per day of captured carbon dioxide.
Funding: $250,000
Study name: Synergy Testing Center
Study description: Tourmaline will advance the planning of a waste-heat recovery and renewable energy testing center. Understanding of the amount of waste-heat, carbon dioxide, electricity, and local biomass available at the subject site will help inform development of opportunities to capture carbon and produce renewable fuels.
Funding: $200,000
Study name: Steeprock Plant CO2 Capture Reservoir Screening
Study description: Veresen Midstream will determine the location, characteristics, storage capacity, and first-pass risk assessment of depleted (or nearly so) reservoirs and deep saline aquifers for potential carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in B.C. that are in reasonable proximity to the facility.
Funding: $45,021
2021
In 2021, the Province invested $1.9 million to support 14 FS projects which may help to develop future projects that will reduce industrial emissions across B.C.
Study name: Waste Heat Recovery for Log Conditioning
Study description: Canoe Forest Products will evaluate the potential heat recovery from a natural gas fired regenerative thermal oxidizer (used to burn off excess organic vapour and control emissions) to be used in the log conditioning process when making plywood.
Funding: $23,781
Study Name: Electric Haul Truck Trolley Assist System
Study Description: Copper Mountain Mine will determine the technical and economic feasibility of adding corners to a haul truck trolley assist system which is to help understand the design requirements at the Copper Mountain Mine.
Funding: $174,093
Study name: Flash Dryer System Installation
Study description: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper will investigate the feasibility and estimate the natural gas emission reductions of installing a higher efficiency kiln flash dryer at the Howe Sound mill.
Funding: $61,094
Study name: SCM Grinding Facility’s BC Hydro System Impact Study
Study description: Lehigh Hanson Materials will investigate the technical and commercial considerations of building and operating a marine terminal and large-scale grinding facility adjacent to Lehigh’s Delta Portland Cement manufacturing plant. The terminal and facility will import and grind granulated blast furnace slag to displace the use of higher-carbon clinker for their own facility and for concrete producers.
Funding: $247,275
Study name: Blue Hydrogen Production and Associated Carbon Capture and Storage
Study description: NorthRiver Midstream will evaluate the opportunity to update a gas-processing facility to produce blue hydrogen. The study includes a feasibility assessment of the technology required to produce hydrogen and capture emissions, reservoir storage, hydrogen transportation and commercial hydrogen utilization in the area.
Funding: $133,114
Study name: Blue Hydrogen Production and Associated Carbon Capture and Storage
Study description: NorthRiver Midstream will evaluate the opportunity to update a gas-processing facility to produce blue hydrogen. The study includes a feasibility assessment of the technology required to produce hydrogen and capture emissions, reservoir storage, hydrogen transportation and commercial hydrogen utilization in the area.
Funding: $180,000
Study name: Cogeneration Facility Post-Combustion Capture Technology
Study description: NorthRiver Midstream will evaluate the technical feasibility of post-combustion carbon capture technologies and reservoir storage options for the Taylor Cogeneration facility, which is a natural gas power station primarily used to supply steam to a NorthRiver Midstream gas-processing plant and provide power to the electricity grid.
Funding: $117,859
Study name: Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Hub Implementation
Study description: NorthRiver Midstream, in partnership with Tourmaline Oil Corporation, will assess the costs and business case of implementation of a compressed natural gas fueling hub at its McMahon facility. Compressed natural gas could displace the use of higher-carbon diesel for vehicles. The study will help remove barriers for the project, including decreasing implementation and market risks.
Funding: $75,000
Study Name: Turboexpander Installation at Compressor Stations
Study Description: NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. will determine the suitability of installing turboexpander technology at existing NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. natural gas compressor stations located in B.C. A turboexpander has been identified as a potential emissions-free energy source that harnesses energy created through the pressure reduction of natural gas from a high pressure to a lower, usable pressure. The energy derived from this usable pressure can be used to generate up to 42 kilowatts of clean power by spinning a direct-drive generator shaft.
Funding: $47,169
Study name: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Pilot Plant Study
Study description: Teck Metals will assess the feasibility and determine the appropriate technology and associated cost estimate for a carbon capture, utilization and storage facility at Teck’s Trail Operations.
Funding: $350,000
Study name: Carbon Capture & Sequestration from Steam Methane Reformers
Study description: Tidewater Midstream will determine the feasibility of a combined carbon capture and sequestration scheme in cooperation with another partner facility. The carbon capture and sequestration scheme would capture carbon dioxide emissions from two steam-methane reformers at the Tidewater refinery and one steam-methane reformer at the partner site.
Funding: $48,750
Study name: Biomass Fuel Switching: Installation and Operation
Study description: Tolko will investigate the technical and commercial considerations of installing and operating a single biomass-fired energy system to displace the natural gas systems currently used at a sawmill and the adjacent wood-pellet facility.
Funding: $52,581
Study name: Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage
Study description: Tourmaline will assess the technical and economic feasibility of different post-combustion flue gas carbon capture technologies, including chemical solvents, membranes, solid sorbents and hybrid systems at multiple natural gas processing plants.
Funding: $300,000
Study name: Steeprock Plan Carbon Capture
Study description: Veresen Midstream will help determine the scope, cost and schedule for capturing emissions from the flue gas of two process heat medium heaters for the purpose of potential carbon dioxide recovery and underground sequestration which would mitigate a significant part of the emissions to atmosphere from the Steeprock gas plant.
Funding: $65,761