The Government of Canada announced a $19.4 million investment into the Alberta energy sector on Thursday.

Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources Canada, Corey Hogan, who is MP for the riding of Calgary Confederation, shared the news from EQUS headquarters in Innisfail.

The 12 projects include one involving EQUS’ ‘Charge Club’ worth over $2.45 million.

According to a backgrounder, the project will demonstrate how electric vehicle chargers and battery storage can provide power back to the grid to improve electricity grid reliability, support clean energy integration, and reduce the need for traditional grid upgrades.

The Charge Club project is in partnership with InCharge, the University of New Brunswick, NAIT, SAIT, Hero Engineering, and Volta Research — and aims to explore innovative vehicle-to-grid solutions.

“We’re working to understand how EVs can support transmission and distribution systems by providing contingency power when the grid needs it most,” the company says in its backgrounder.

Hogan, meanwhile, spoke about investing in the country becoming even more of an ‘energy superpower.’

“Alberta’s energy sector plays a critical role in Canada’s economy, and our government is making sure the sector is modern and efficient so it can continue to do so for years to come,” he said.

“These investments support practical solutions that improve energy performance, strengthen electricity systems, reduce emissions, and help Alberta’s industries be more competitive in rapidly changing global markets.”

Unlocking more of Canada’s power in energy means ensuring infrastructure is built as responsibly as possible, he added.

Hogan, who’s been vocal about the matter, was asked if he thinks it’s investments such as this that could help quell separatist sentiment and show Ottawa is on Alberta’s side.

He said the best defense against separatism is for the government to show it is working and works well, for all Canadians, including Albertans.

“This announcement is an example of that and is talking to the traditional strengths of Alberta – that being energy and how we as a country can support those strengths, diversify them, and ensure prosperity in the energy sector,” Hogan remarked.

The full list of projects also includes:

Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program

Supports the implementation of energy efficiency and energy management solutions in Canada’s industrial sector to help reduce emissions, lower costs and strengthen competitiveness.

• Project name: Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) Recipient: Emissions Reduction Alberta Location: Calgary, Alberta Funding amount: $10,000,000 Description: This investment will support industrial facilities in Alberta to improve energy performance, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen competitiveness through energy management practices and efficiency measures.
• Project name: Efficiency-Focused Ventilation Retrofits Recipient: McCain Foods Canada Location: Coaldale, Alberta Funding amount: $3,700,000 Description: This project will implement energy management information systems and energy efficiency–focused capital retrofits at McCain Foods facilities in Alberta and Manitoba.
• Project name: Driving Operational Excellence and Energy Management Recipient: West Fraser Mills Ltd. Location: Multiple facilities in Alberta Funding amount: $666,000 Description: This project will support staff training, hire and retain energy managers and implement energy management systems across 10 facilities in Alberta.
• Project name: SIL Industrial Mineral Application Recipient: 543077 Alberta Ltd. Location: Edmonton, Alberta Funding amount: $371,538 Description: This project will implement energy management systems, conduct energy assessments and complete energy efficiency retrofits.
• Project name: Enercapita Energy and Carbon Management System Recipient: Enercapita Energy Ltd. Location: Multiple facilities in Alberta Funding amount: $235,940 Description: This project will conduct facility energy assessments and implement a corporate energy management system to optimize energy use and reduce operating costs associated with energy and carbon compliance.
• Project name: Dawson, Kakwa, and Karr Energy Assessments Recipient: ARC Resources Ltd. Location: Alberta and British Columbia Funding amount: $150,000 Description: This project will conduct energy assessments and audits at upstream oil and gas facilities to improve energy performance and strengthen competitiveness.
• Project name: Alix Facility Modernization Project Recipient: Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. Location: Alix, Alberta Funding amount: $133,073 Description: This project will support energy management training, energy assessments, implementation of an energy management system and energy efficiency improvements to enhance energy performance.
• Project name: Advanced Process Control and Energy Optimization Studies Recipient: Pembina Gas Infrastructure Inc. Location: Alberta Funding amount: $123,750 Description: This project will conduct energy assessments and audits at natural gas processing facilities in Alberta.
• Project name: Driving Energy Efficiency at CSV’s Alberta Plants Recipient: CSV Midstream Solutions Location: Valhalla and Simonette, Alberta Funding amount: $100,000 Description: This project will implement ISO 50001-compliant energy management systems recognized by the 50001 Ready Canada program.
• Project: Aurum Facilities Energy Audit Recipient: EPCOR Water Services Inc. Location: Edmonton, Alberta Funding amount: $50,000 Description: This project will conduct energy assessments and audits to identify opportunities to improve energy performance and reduce operating costs.

The Energy Innovation Program (EIP)

The EIP advances clean energy technologies that will help Canada maintain a competitive, reliable and affordable energy system while transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

EIP – Hydrogen Centre of Excellence with Alberta Innovates

Supports studies, ecosystem development, public awareness, opportunity identification and development of codes and standards.

• Project name: Low-Emission Hydrogen Production Plant Design Recipient: VulcanX Energy Corp. Location: Calgary, Alberta Funding amount: $971,025.56 Description: This project completed a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and a partial Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of a pre-commercial hydrogen production plant based on natural gas pyrolysis technology.
• Project name: Field Trial of Hydrogen Storage in Canadian Bedded and Domal Salts Recipient: University of Alberta Location: Edmonton, Alberta Funding amount: $500,000 Description: This project will conduct a field trial of underground hydrogen storage in salt formations in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, helping advance knowledge and data to support future large-scale hydrogen storage in Canada.