Advanced Hydrocarbons: Cleaner Hydrocarbon Production — Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE)

Who can apply

Funding is open to all categories of lead applicant including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, individuals and others, who are advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.

Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and be able to clearly demonstrate alignment to the program area priorities.

Successful applicants must be legally able to execute the Investment Agreement.

Eligible Projects should clearly address one or more of the following Clean Resources targeted project themes. Examples of successfully funded projects in the initial rounds of DICE program funding can be found here: https://albertainnovates.ca/impact/newsroom/energy-industry-goes-digital/ and https://albertainnovates.ca/news/advancing-clean-technology-solutions/. This is an incomplete list, and consideration may be given to project themes in addition to these currently identified areas:

Advanced Hydrocarbons

1. Production optimization and yield improvements
2. Operational efficiency improvements, improved economic efficiencies
3. Integrated operations solutions
4. Emissions reductions and environmental performance
5. Project execution, operational health and safety

Cleantech

1. Smartgrid and distributed generation management and control
2. Renewable energy management and control
3. Integration of energy storage and renewable energy
4. Innovations related to contracts and settlements
5. Transportation system management and control
6. Green buildings technologies

Environmental Innovation

1. Water treatment and management
2. Land and biodiversity monitoring

• Tailings management

1. Management of environmental monitoring and public health

Technology and Solution Readiness Level For technology development projects, the focus for funding will be on technologies and solutions that are currently at a Technology and Solution Readiness Level (TSRL) between 3-7; namely beyond the conceptual stage but not advanced enough to be commercialized. The TSRL definitions to be used under this competition are provided on the DICE program web page. A non-exhaustive list of possible technologies, project themes and use cases can be found in Appendix C.

Applicant Eligibility

The DICE Program is open to technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and government research labs, providing they are legally able to execute the Investment Agreement. Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the province.

In addition, to qualify for funding, the Applicant must:

1. Exist as a corporate person, with up-to-date corporate filings;
2. Be authorized to undertake the proposed project, and execute a grant with Alberta Innovates on our

standard terms; and

1. Not otherwise be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding, for instance due to a past

bad debt or otherwise not be in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries, InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies.

1. Be incorporated in Alberta AND/OR incorporated in another jurisdiction and extra-provincially

registered in Alberta;

1. To qualify as a small or medium enterprise (SME), a company must have fewer than 500 full-time

employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.

1. Collaboration with other Project Partners is highly encouraged and projects that demonstrate end

user engagement and formal partnerships will receive additional consideration for funding.

1. Proposed Projects that demonstrate HQP (highly qualified personnel) capacity-building in Alberta

will receive additional consideration for funding.

Please note: For Applicants that are not post-secondary institutions, Alberta Innovates may perform corporate, bankruptcy and litigation searches, and conduct other forms of due diligence on the Applicant company and its principals.

Partner/Service Provider Eligibility

Partners/strategic partners/service providers/collaborators are required to:

1. Exist as a corporate person, with up-to-date corporate filings.
2. Be authorized to undertake the proposed project.
3. Demonstrate a need or potential for use by Alberta industry or other end-users;
4. Demonstrate that the relationship between the Applicant and Partner/Strategic Partner/Service

Provider/Collaborator does not create a conflict of interest.

1. Provide a letter indicating the Partner’s/Service Provider’s/Collaborator’s intention to participate in

the Project at the time of application.

1. Have the financial capability to purchase or enter into a distribution agreement of the product upon

Project completion of a demonstration.

1. Show tangible resources committed to the Project.
2. Not otherwise be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding, for instance due to a past

bad debt or otherwise not be in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries, InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies.

1. An industry or other end-user Project Partner is recommended but not required for post-secondary

institution applicants; and

1. Federal funding agencies (e.g. NSERC, NRCan, etc.) are considered eligible Project Partners.

Note: For partners, collaborators and/or service providers that are not post-secondary institutions, Alberta Innovates may perform corporate, bankruptcy and litigation searches, and other forms of due diligence.

Project Eligibility

To qualify for funding, all Projects must:

1. Align with the objectives of the Program;
2. Be stepped with critical “go/no go” milestones;
3. Be completed within the eighteen-month term; and
4. Comply with other criteria that Alberta Innovates may develop from time to time.