Tech remains hot in Calgary.
The newly minted “Blue Sky City” is not the biggest tech hub in Canada (that’s Toronto) or even the fastest-growing (that would be Vancouver). But it might be the feistiest, and at any rate it’s certainly one worth keeping an eye on.
Determined to polish up its industrial image in a world of emerging green-tech, Calgary is pushing forward with growth, investment, and innovation across sectors.
Below, an appetizer of what Calgary tech is putting on the table in 2024.
Tech, Not Taxes
The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta, recently announced $57 million in innovation funding for 28 projects.
The massive investment across different projects is designed to advance a hydrogen economy, reduce emissions, and create jobs in Alberta, according to a statement from the government.
“We are funding new, innovative technologies that will ultimately help hydrogen power Alberta’s industries, vehicles, homes and economy in the years ahead,” stated Rebecca Shulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
The funding includes more than $22M for 20 early-stage projects through the Hydrogen Centre of Excellence Competition, which is partially supported by Natural Resources Canada. Nearly 100 expressions of interest were received.
And on top of that, ERA and the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction program are committing over $34M toward eight late-stage projects through the Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge.
“We are reducing emissions through technologies, not taxes, and creating jobs at the same time,” said Schulz, a possible stab at Canada’s unpopular Carbon Tax.
The 28 projects cover a wide spectrum of the hydrogen economy, from production and distribution to storage and transmission.
“Hydrogen has the potential to transform global energy markets and to create trillions of dollars of economic activity,” believes the province’s minister of technology and innovation, Nate Glubish.
Funding recipients include companies such as Ayrton Energy, Ekona Power, and Gradient Thermal, as well as municipalities and institutions such as the Cities of Calgary and Edmonton and the universities of Alberta and Calgary.
Since established in 2009, ERA has committed $937 million toward 267 projects worth $8 billion aimed at reducing emissions.
Underground Acceleration
Calgary’s Eavor this year helped launch the Alberta Drilling Accelerator, a technology-agnostic and market-driven geothermal test site available for use by any geothermal company to enable novel drilling techniques and off-site technology development.
Eavor made the announcement in April alongside Schulz; the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors; the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association; the Rural Municipalities Association; and Brazeau County.
The ADA will be the first test bed of its kind in Canada, establishing Alberta as a global leader in geothermal technology commercialization and exports.
John Redfern, chief executive of Eavor, anticipates a “geothermal arms race” as nations seek energy security while adhering to “Net Zero” guidelines.
“As Canada’s first geothermal test bed, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator will help bring geothermal technologies to scale, supporting companies like Eavor,” the CEO stated. “We commend the Government of Alberta for this bold initiative.”
Aerodynamic Innovation
Calgary is looking beyond its blue skies—toward aerospace innovation.
Calgary.tech recently took a closer look at Alberta’s quietly emerging aerospace sector, which is now gaining some serious steam thanks in part to promotion (and capital) from Calgary Economic Development.
A recent panel on the future of the region’s aerospace industry, titled “Flight Path 2050,” discussed global aerospace trends, including A.I., advanced engineering, hypersonic travel, and the commercialization of space, among other topics.
“The future of aerospace and aviation will be increasingly autonomous, data-informed, sustainable, distributed, diversified and efficient,” stated panellist Rachelle Bugeaud.
But is that good or bad?
“These emerging trends are risks and opportunities together,” Bugeaud said. “They mean different things to different people, and it’s up to us to decide how to action them as a community.”
This year, Calgary committed $3.9 million over four years toward regional innovation in aerospace.
Between 2024 and 2028, the new Aerospace Innovation Hub is expected to support up to 180 companies and create 150 net new skilled, indirect jobs.
“We have all the raw ingredients for the ecosystem to continue to grow,” believes Chris Dinsdale, CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority, citing “great universities, relative affordability and a young, trained population.”
However, Dinsdale warns that “we need ensure we have early-stage funding available for startups, so we can provide a good place to test their products.”
“It’s important that we provide a safe and secure environment where people can test new innovations,” the airport CEO added. “If it works, we have a competitive advantage, and if it doesn’t, we’ve done our best to try new technologies. We should never have a fear of failure.”
Alberta’s aerospace and defence sector contributed more than $2 billion in GDP in 2022.
BURNCO Buys Hammerstone
Calgary’s BURNCO, an aggregate construction materials company with Canadian and U.S. operations, is purchasing the Hammerstone Quarry from Brookfield Business Partners, a New York-based private equity firm.
The transaction will complement BURNCO’s existing business in Alberta. It also brings a sizeable operation back into Albertan hands.
“As fourth generation owners of BURNCO, our family is thrilled to be investing again in Canada,” Scott Burns, the company’s Executive Chairman, stated this month.
With Canada’s focus on pushing towards net-zero carbon concrete there is an ever-increasing amount of innovation in the construction materials sector. Concrete is the most commonly used building material globally and accounts for 1.5% of Canada’s CO2 emissions.
BURNCO recently announced a low-carbon concrete initiative with Calgary’s Carbon Upcycling, a leader in circular decarbonization solutions for various building industries.
The resulting CO2-enhanced concrete will find its way into sidewalks, housing foundations, pathways, and gutters.
The Hammerstone Quarry is one of the largest limestone quarries in Western Canada with over 750 million tonnes of aggregate reserves, representing multiple generations of supply.
“Hammerstone’s business is a natural fit within our broader aggregates position in Alberta and expands our geographic and operational footprint in the province,” stated Tom Zais, BURNCO’s CEO.
Photo by Tomas Williams on Unsplash
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