Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

What an incredible afternoon! Avatar Innovations Brave New World launch wasn’t just an event—it was a bold statement on the future of energy innovation. At Avatar Innovations, we don’t just talk about change; we create the spaces where it happens. And this year, we took it to another level by hosting a simultaneous hybrid experience in Calgary and Houston, seamlessly connecting two energy hubs in a way that’s never been done before. Hosting at TELUS Spark Science Centre was a game-changer, but the true highlight? Activating the Infinite Dome Theatre with custom visuals that brought our vision to life in an immersive, unforgettable way. That moment alone made every challenge worth it! Speaking of challenges—the AV setup to sync Calgary & Houston in real time was next-level complex, but thanks to Team Karana Audio Visual Services in Houston and Maven Media Group in Calgary, we pulled off something truly groundbreaking. It was an incredible fusion of technology and storytelling. And then, the details that made the day magical: - Incredible presentations by our keynote speakers - Hearing from our Avatar alumni and showcasing Avatar ventures (FlexConnect Energy Inc. CO2Brew Splice N Connect Inc. NanoStrip RyuGen Energy Solutions, Inc. Embrace energy Traverse Analytics Ethox Energy ltd. ) in Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) pavilion - Pulling off the high-energy North American Energy Face-Off game show - A stunning horse, groomed like a unicorn, welcoming guests in Calgary - Alberta Ballet Canada's mesmerizing performances crafted by Artistic Director, Francesco Ventriglia - Futuristic characters welcoming guests - An electric atmosphere of innovators, industry leaders, and changemakers This event wouldn’t have been possible without our phenomenal alumni team, Jenna Richardson-Prager Thomas Connell, PMP Erich Chmiel Maddie Watt, P.Eng Hayden Fiege Souvik Neogi & Rahul Bamotra, P.Eng., M.Eng., M.B.A. who kept operations running seamlessly in both cities. And a massive shoutout to Nannette Ho-Covernton, Tyler Engel, CFA & Blaine H., who navigated the intricate show flow like absolute pros. At Avatar Innovations, we believe in pushing boundaries, sparking new ideas, and creating transformational experiences—and Brave New World was proof of just how powerful that can be. Still buzzing from it all—There is a new energy future, Let's go build it! Thank you to incredible event partner Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) for supporting this event Kudos to our vendors who brought the vision to life - Venue - TELUS Spark Science Centre | The Cannon Community at Energy Corridor Audio Visual- Maven Media Group and AVHD visuals solutions | Karana Audio Visual Services Entertainment - Alberta Ballet Canada | Rocket House | Montclair Customs Decor and Lighting - Modern Rentals LTD. | Pez Productions Catering - Great Events Group | CitizensCatering Printing - TPH Photography- Mauricio Flores, P.Eng | Patton Productions

Attention students 📢 ERA is on the lookout for three qualified students to join our team for the 2025 Summer Term. We're hiring for the following positions: ▪️ Market Research Summer Student | Edmonton ▪️ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Summer Student | Calgary ▪️ Accounting Summer Student | Edmonton Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. MST on March 6th. Read the full job descriptions here: https://lnkd.in/g26An47j

Backed by a $2.8 million investment from the TIER fund, SolarSteam Inc.’s project will implement a 1.5 MWt SolarSteam system with Sunamp’s Phase Change Material (PCM) Thermal Energy Storage (TES) at Base Element Energy’s oil emulsion treatment facility in Cynthia, Alberta. Utilizing their proprietary Design for Manufacturing, Shipping, and Assembly (DfMSA™), the system is designed for all climates and establishes a new benchmark for renewable thermal energy. This project will decrease reliance on natural gas boilers and incorporate a battery that ensures stable heat delivery, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and emissions reduction. As the first integration of its kind at this scale, SolarSteam’s project will transition from TRL 7 to TRL 9, demonstrating its readiness for large-scale manufacturing and commercial deployment. #ContinuousIntakeProgram #ERAFunded

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) clamshell packaging is becoming increasingly popular in the grocery sector for items like pre-made salads and baked goods. However, because of its brittle nature and the use of adhesive labelling, PET is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills. With a $2 million investment from ERA, Merlin Plastics Supply Inc. is demonstrating an innovative recycling technology to repurpose PET clamshell material into a 100% recycled product to reduce waste and lower emissions in the food processing industry. Merlin’s technology is designed to develop a method to completely clean, transform, and recycle PET clamshells into pellets, allowing for reuse in new packaging and supporting Alberta’s circular economy. #ContinuousIntakeProgram #ERAFunded

A fantastic afternoon at the launch of Avatar Innovations' 2025 Ignite phase.

Every aspect of modern life relies on electricity, and the grid must consistently deliver power in a reliable and safe manner while supporting clean electricity technologies and adapting to changing customer expectations. With a $3.9 million investment from ERA, the ENMAX Connect project will enhance energy flows within the electricity distribution system by gathering real-time data from various ENMAX distribution equipment and customer-distributed energy resources (DERs). ENMAX Connect is an innovative demonstration project in Alberta that utilizes analytics and automation to modernize its electricity infrastructure and streamline connection requests. It aims to illustrate how an optimized electricity system can support customers to electrify their lives reliably and affordably. #ContinuousIntakeProgram #ERAFunded

Last week, as part of a larger $55 million investment, the Government of Alberta announced $8.7 million in funding through ERA’s Continuous Intake Program, which is funded by the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) regulation. By working with Trusted Partners across Canada, this program helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advance Alberta’s low-carbon goals. It also enables ERA to assess projects proposed by these partners, who follow rigorous, fair, and transparent evaluation processes. The latest projects funded through this initiative include: ▪️ $3.9 million to ENMAX to advance a digital grid management solution to improve energy storage and efficiency. ▪️ $2 million to Merlin Plastics Supply Inc. to develop a commercial-scale facility to divert hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills. ▪️  $2.8 million to SolarSteam Inc. to demonstrate new solar thermal energy technology for industrial heat production in various weather conditions. We’ll share more about these projects in the coming days! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtgG834k

Our $2.3 million investment will support VL Energy Ltd. in demonstrating a cutting-edge monitoring system designed to reduce emissions in heat and power systems. Traditional agricultural practices often struggle with efficient and cost-effective emissions monitoring. VL Energy’s ES-PEMS addresses this challenge by providing farmers and agricultural businesses with a reliable solution to accurately monitor emissions, optimize energy use, and comply with environmental regulations. By enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions, this technology promotes sustainable agricultural practices and strengthens rural power independence. This reduces the environmental footprint and lowers energy costs, bolstering economic sustainability for farmers and making Alberta’s agricultural products more competitive in global markets. #IndustrialTransformaionChallenge #ERAFunded

With an investment of $700,000 from ERA, TS-Nano is piloting an innovative solution to improve cement sealing performance at oil and gas facilities. The novel nano-modified polymer is designed to supplement the hydrostatic pressure of cement during solidification, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The technology will be tested with cement commonly used in Alberta’s oil and gas sector to tackle methane migration issues in abandoned wells. This innovative technology could enhance environmental performance while increasing cost efficiency in well-plugging operations. #IndustrialTransformationChallenge #ERAFunded

Train today. Save tomorrow. ERA’s Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program helps industrial and manufacturing facilities in Alberta reduce their energy consumption and save costs. With a team of energy experts, we provide financial incentives, knowledge, and training in energy management. SEMI covers up to 50% of eligible project costs for businesses, and up to 100% for not-for-profits and Indigenous organizations. Don’t miss out on funding for your facility — apply now: https://lnkd.in/gwzMJ4Ax #ERA_SEMI #energyefficiency