Aurora Hydrogen: Over $4 Million Raised From Natural Resources Canada And NGIF Accelerator

By Amit Chowdhry • Jul 25, 2024

Aurora Hydrogen, an Edmonton-based hydrogen technology company, was awarded $3 million in funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and $1+ million from the NGIF Accelerator to scale its production of low-carbon / low-cost hydrogen and advance the maturity of its technology for piloting and commercialization.

As part of NRCan’s Energy Innovation program’s (EIP) Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching, Aurora Hydrogen received $3 million to focus on scaling and piloting technology that efficiently converts methane to hydrogen and solid carbon with no emissions or water use. And the funding will help Aurora increase its Technology Readiness Level, bringing it closer to providing low-cost, distributed hydrogen to the market. The EIP advances clean energy technologies to help Canada meet climate change targets and transition to a low-carbon economy.

Aurora Hydrogen also won $918,000 in funding from the NGIF Accelerator Global Cleantech Challenge to help mitigate environmental impacts in Canada’s end-use of natural gas. And the Global Cleantech Challenge works with partners like Emissions Reduction Alberta, Foresight Canada and Halliburton Labs. The NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants program – which works with participants like Shell, Enbridge and ATCO – also awarded Aurora Hydrogen a $150,000 contribution to its technology development.

Aurora Hydrogen’s method of methane pyrolysis produces clean hydrogen at the point of use, eliminating the need for hydrogen transportation or carbon dioxide storage, making it a prime solution for industrial decarbonization and displacing higher-emissions chemical fuels.

KEY QUOTES:

“We’re honored to have been selected by NRCan and NGIF Accelerator for this funding, which we see as a testament to the enthusiasm and demand for our hydrogen solution. With this support, we’ll be able to scale our hydrogen production technology to provide the market with the lowest-cost clean hydrogen — a key step in bringing a net-zero economy to life.”

– CEO Andrew Gillis

“This announcement of $3 million in federal funding for Aurora Hydrogen is part of a series of significant steps the Government of Canada is taking to support good jobs and promote sustainable growth. These steps include the launch of the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada Progress Report, Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and Canada’s founding of the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance last fall. This federal government will continue to work with all partners to ensure Canada remains a global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world — ensuring a prosperous and clean future for Canadians across the country.”

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Aurora Hydrogen is a key player in the production of low-carbon hydrogen. Projects like this one show how Edmonton is innovating and adopting green technologies and leading the way in Canada. By working together, we will reach our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

– Honorable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

“I am excited to support Aurora Hydrogen’s efforts to scale hydrogen production through their methane pyrolysis technology. This funding underscores our commitment to accelerating clean technology solutions that reduce global emissions. Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking clean technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”

– John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator