• ATTRACTIONS
  & RECREATION
• BUSINESS
• BYLAWS &
  LICENCES
• CITY GOVERNMENT
• ENVIRONMENTAL
• FOR RESIDENTS
• TRANSPORTATION

Unique Energy Research Facility to be Built in Edmonton

July 07, 2009

Construction on waste-to-biofuels research centre to be completed in 2010

The City of Edmonton and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI) today announced that construction is slated to begin on an advanced energy research facility funded by AERI and supported by Enerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels technology company.

The Government of Alberta, through AERI, is contributing towards a $127 million waste to biofuels project which includes a research facility, a municipal waste processing facility to be built by the City of Edmonton, and a commercial waste-to-biofuels facility to be built by Enerkem GreenField Alberta Biofuels.

Construction of the $9 million research facility will be completed in the first quarter of 2010. Design of the biofuels facility is currently underway and construction is scheduled to start in 2009. Construction of the municipal waste processing facility is already underway.

The advanced energy research facility will include advanced laboratory equipment and a well-instrumented pilot plant. It will focus on the conversion of various types of non-hazardous waste from the oil & gas, agricultural, forestry and other industrial sectors, and the municipal sector to produce green transportation fuels and chemicals that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A joint City of Edmonton-AERI steering group and a technical committee will guide and implement the research and development activities.

Enerkem will conduct some of its advanced research at the facility led by Dr. Esteban Chornet, a world-leading scientist in the use of thermo catalysis for developing alternative fuels from waste.

“This is another example of Alberta’s commitment to using science to develop alternative energy and minimize environmental impacts,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Waste management and energy development are turning a corner in our province, with our partners showing the world new possibilities for the future.”

“Edmontonians are world leaders in environmental sustainability,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “We have already pioneered several ground-breaking waste management strategies and this research centre will unleash the tremendous potential that exists for recovering value from waste.”

“Enerkem is proud to be a partner on this novel project which will position Alberta and Canada at the centre of advanced energy research,” said Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. “This research facility will become an important component in furthering our company’s dedication to innovation, allowing us to attract some of the country’s brightest minds.”

For more information:

Connie Boyce

Duke Du Plessis