MOU CONFIRMS EDMONTON"S SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR

Edmonton International Airport and NextStep Renewable Energy Inc. (NSRE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding pledging to bring forward low-carbon, renewable fuels into the aviation and airport sectors. 

The Canadian gateway says the agreement will generate jobs, economic diversification and economic growth.

“We look forward to working with NSRE as we take the Edmonton Metro Region and Alberta forward in developing biofuels, lowering carbon emissions and generating jobs,” said airport president and CEO, Tom Ruth.

“This work will support our goal of carbon-neutral growth by 2021 and help establish EIA as a global aviation leader and most importantly, drive research into new biofuel technologies and processes.”

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Together, Edmonton International Airport (EIA) and NSRE will utilise existing, proven, market ready technology for deployment in Alberta to address the void of supply for low-carbon fuels in Canada. 

This work, it says, will focus on building domestic and global relationships that will be a foundation for business growth in Alberta connected to the low-carbon economy.

“NextStep Renewable Energy Inc is pleased to be working with EIA to develop the support necessary to construct a processing facility in Alberta to produce low carbon jet fuel,” commented NextStep's president, Bryce Bonneville.

“Our proposed Alberta based processing facility will provide security of supply and create Alberta jobs while using second generation, proven technology to produce high quality drop-in jet fuel and diesel fuel to help Alberta with its low carbon initiatives.”

Earlier this month, EIA took a step forward in the use of renewable resources by participating in Air Canada’s biofuel demonstration flight which coincided with a Trade and Investment Mission to San Francisco, led by Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alberta Economic Development and Trade Minister, Deron Bilous. 

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It claims that the biofuel flight reflects a collaborative approach to bringing forward low-carbon, renewable fuels into the aviation and airport sectors. 

“Alberta’s strength in energy and biological resources helps position us to become a global leader in renewable transportation fuels,” said Steve MacDonald, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), which has a mandate to fund innovations that can reduce greenhouse gases. 

“Partnerships like these, between industry and innovators, help accelerate the technology required to produce these cleaner energy products right here at home.”

EIA notes that it will continue to support the commercialisation of new technologies in the energy sector, including the development of renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar power and cogeneration.

As part of the MOU, NSRE becomes the newest member of the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Centre (AATC) at EIA, which focuses on attracting and building a cluster of activity in aerospace and technology at EIA for the benefit of Alberta.