The Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, has announced a CAD 11 million (USD 8.1 million) funding package for various energy technology initiatives across Canada. The projects fall into two categories: CAD 2.5 million (USD 1.8 million) for small modular reactor research and CAD 8.5 million (USD 6.3 million) for clean hydrogen innovation.

The funding includes grants for projects by Aurora Hydrogen, Quantiam Technologies, Innova Hydrogen, ATCO Gas and Pipelines, Innovative Fuel Systems, and New Wave Hydrogen.

The funding will support various projects, from advancing the use of microwave energy for pyrolysis technology to the production of carbon-negative methanol and e-fuels to zero-carbon hydrogen production via catalytic methane pyrolysis. The funding will also support feasibility studies for pure hydrogen pipeline networks and the development of dual-fuel hydrogen and diesel retrofit systems for heavy-duty vehicles.

This funding announcement comes as Canada strengthens its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and strengthening its position as a leader in critical energy technologies. With this funding, the government hopes to stimulate growth in the energy innovation sector and strengthen the country's ability to produce low-carbon hydrogen and other critical clean energy technologies. Funding recipients, such as Aurora Hydrogen and Quantiam Technologies, are engaged in critical research and development to advance clean energy solutions.