New funding for CMC Research Institutes Inc. (CMC) was announced recently to support the establishment of a methane-monitoring demonstration site in Alberta.
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, announced an investment of $974,000 through Western Economic Diversification Canada on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Diversification, and the Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification.
New technology will improve detection sensitivity
The investment will fund the construction of a demonstration site that will benefit developers working on methane-reduction technology, the oil and gas sector, and other sectors that are seeking to reduce methane gas emissions. Work at this site will bring a new technology to the Canadian market that provides the detection sensitivity that industry needs to better understand methane emissions and help it to meet climate change targets. The Government of Canada’s investment in this project demonstrates progress on its collective plan to grow the economy while reducing emissions and building resilience in adapting to a low-carbon economy.
The methane-monitoring demonstration site will be established at CMC Research Institute’s $7 million Field Research Station, where technology developers are advancing the commercialization of carbon storage and helping industry better understand the movement of fluids underground. The Field Research Station is located on 300 hectares of land in Newell County and is supported by the University of Calgary with funds from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
Soil, air and water detection systems developed
The methane-monitoring demonstration site will test a prototype technology for state-of-the-art monitoring of atmospheric methane. If development of the technology is successful it will provide monitoring that is more effective and cost-efficient than current commercial technologies. The federal investment will also allow for the testing of a water well sampling system and a system for detecting methane in soil gas.
CMC Research Institutes also operates a Mobile Environmental Laboratory (MEL) to identify and measure gases such as methane and other light hydrocarbons. The modified truck and trailer are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for rapid, in-the-field analysis of liquids and gases.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to support Alberta industry partners in clean technology innovations. The investment made in CMC Research Institutes’ methane-monitoring demonstration site will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions, create opportunities for businesses to grow, and help to fulfill our commitments on climate change. We will continue to work with partners like CMC to invest in clean technologies that will create new jobs, provide environmental benefits and reinforce Canada’s globally competitive advantage in clean tech.”
–The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
“We welcome this investment by the Government of Canada to develop effective and cost efficient technologies and systems to reduce methane emissions. This support enables us to accelerate innovations that are critical to Canada’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting the ability of our economy to grow and prosper.”
– Sandra Odendahl, President and CEO, CMC Research Institutes
“As a greenhouse gas, methane is 25 times more potent than CO2 and it’s critical we find ways to rapidly and accurately detect emissions in the air, soil and ground water. The new methane-monitoring demonstration site funded by the Government of Canada will advance the development and commercialization of tools to reduce emissions and in the process we’ll provide training to students and contribute to the growing market for monitoring technologies.”
– Dr. Don Lawton, Director, Containment and Monitoring Institute