Calgary, Canada (GLOBE-Net) – The federal government and industry partners have announced funding for a research project to develop microalgae systems that could capture carbon dioxide from industrial sources such as coal-fired plants and oil sands projects.

The project is related to the initial development of an Innoventures Canada (I-CAN) Centre for the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in Calgary. I-CAN acts as a mechanism to combine resources from industry, government and research organizations to conduct large research and development projects in Canada.

Funding partners on this project include Shell Canada Limited, EPCOR Utilities Inc., Graymont, NRCan and the Government of Alberta.

Leading the I-CAN group will be the Alberta Research Council, the Saskatchewan Research Council, Manitoba’s Industrial Technology Centre and a Quebec industrial research centre (Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec).

According to the federal announcement, the microalgae systems could capture up to 100 million tonnes of CO2 from industrial sources. The microalgae would then be converted into industrial products and by-products such as renewable natural gas, hydrogen and biofuels.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is contributing $100,000 to the first phase of the project. NRCan funding will support key research and development activities, and conceptual engineering. These will contribute to a detailed business case for an integrated pilot facility.

“By bringing together a critical mass of expertise from across Canada, I-CAN is the right vehicle to tackle large, complex projects to help Canada’s economy innovate, grow and prosper,” said John McDougall, President and CEO of the Alberta Research Council and Chairman of I-CAN.

Details on I-CAN can be found here.