Emissions Challenge

 I-CAN has identified CO2 management as a major challenge for Canadian industries and general public that could be greatly assisted through I-CAN collaborative research and projects.

Greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, are a major challenge for industry in Canada and around the world. As a by-product of burning fossil fuels, carbon dioxide contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere.

Industries have been given targeted reductions in their GHG emissions in coming years. Various industries in different parts of Canada may require a number of options for carbon management.

I-CAN anticipates that the Carbon Algae Recycling System (CARS) will be one of those options for industry. 

View CARS Project Update HERE

View CARS Concept Cartoon HERE

View CARS Concept Graphic HERE

I-CAN Solution:
Carbon Algae Recycling System

Fast-tracking Mother Nature’s own process

In 2006, Innoventures Canada (I-CAN) initiated a project, dubbed Carbon Algae Recycling System (CARS), to research the use of microalgae to convert large volumes of industry-produced CO₂ into value-added products that would offset the operating costs of such a system.

The objective of CARS is to create a technically and economically-feasible system within Canadian weather conditions that uses micro-algae to consume CO₂, and transforming the biomass to value-added products. The ultimate benefit is intended for large-scale industries such as power plants, refineries and other major CO2 emitters.

The test case is to determine if the initial CARS system could handle 30% of the CO2 produced by a 300-MW coal-fired power plant.

View CARS latest news release HERE.

Read latest news story about CARS HERE.

I-CAN members involved

 Four I-CAN members committed to partnering in the Stage I of this project:

• Alberta Research Council (ARC)
• Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC)
• Manitoba’s Industrial Technology Centre (ITC) 
• Centre Recherche Industrielle du Québec (CRIQ)