In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and transition to sustainable energy, the Canadian government is investing in clean technologies to maintain its leadership in the global energy market. Canada aims to harness ultra-low carbon energy sources, including wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear power, to unlock significant economic opportunities across the nation.
On July 9, 2024, in Burnaby, BC, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $1 million investment from the Energy Innovation Program’s Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching initiative to Ekona Power Inc. This funding aims to advance Ekona’s methane pyrolysis technology for producing clean hydrogen from natural gas. This project builds on the prior success of Ekona’s xCaliber™ reactor development, initially supported by Natural Resources Canada’s Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada Program. The new investment will further develop the reactor and expand Ekona’s Burnaby testing facility.
“Canada is taking important steps to keep being a clean energy supplier of choice as we drive progress toward a net-zero world. Investing in innovations such as Ekona’s provides opportunities to advance Canada’s hydrogen value chain, create jobs and seize the economic opportunity of growing global demand for hydrogen,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Ekona Power’s technology transforms natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional hydrogen production methods. Their innovative pyrolysis reactor utilizes combustion and high-speed gas dynamics to dissociate methane, making it a cost-effective, scalable, and easily integrable solution that leverages existing natural gas infrastructure. This approach meets the rising demand for clean hydrogen while catering to the needs of Canadian industries.
“Ekona is a key player in the clean technology ecosystem within B.C. and Burnaby. Local leaders like Ekona are helping to drive us toward a sustainable economy and supporting our net-zero emission goals. We look forward to the continued partnership,” expressed the Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North–Seymour.
The potential of Ekona’s technology to produce low-cost clean hydrogen while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent is substantial. It also presents a cost-effective method for ultra-low-carbon hydrogen production from natural gas without the need for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. The project will enable Ekona to construct and test its pilot plant, validate its performance against commercial targets, and explore applications of this technology in British Columbia to decarbonize the natural gas network.
“Canada’s natural gas resources and infrastructure are critical for meeting tomorrow’s net-zero targets. Ekona’s methane pyrolysis platform unlocks natural gas’s potential for clean hydrogen production without the need for carbon-dioxide sequestration. This made-in-Canada technology offers a viable and near-term solution for using hydrocarbons in cleaner, better ways. NRCan has been an active supporter of Ekona and our technology vision since 2020, and we are grateful for its support,” explained Chris Reid, CEO, Ekona Power Inc.
As Canada continues to drive economic growth and build a clean economy, significant investments like this one are accelerating the production, distribution, and use of clean fuels, including hydrogen. Guided by Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy, introduced in 2020, these advancements aim to position Canada as a leading global supplier and producer of clean hydrogen, paving the way to a net-zero future by 2050.
