CCEMC releases shortlist for Grand Challenge funding

November 8, 2013, Edmonton, Alta. – The Climate Change and
Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation has invited full proposals from 55
projects from around the world for the first round of its $35 million Grand
Challenge. The Grand Challenge is seeking to create new products and markets
based on the utilization and conversion of carbon dioxide.

“The CCEMC is pleased with the 55 excellent submissions that
we have shortlisted,” said CCEMC Chair Eric Newell. “The response demonstrates
that there is the potential for exciting breakthrough carbon utilization
technologies that can be developed and commercialized.”

Shortlisted projects are diverse and include chemical
synthesis, carbonate production, liquid fuels, bacteria bio-fixation, methanol
production, solid carbon products, polymer processing, syngas production,
fertilizer production, algae bio-fixation and water treatment.

Winning projects will be announced on April 15 at the
Zero2014 conference in Edmonton. More detail on the conference will be
available at www.zero2014.com/.

The CCEMC launched the Grand Challenge in February. The
first round of the CCEMC Grand Challenge is seeking to identify up to 20
semi-finalists who will be awarded a grant of $500,000 to support development
of their technologies.

The first round of the Grand Challenge invited short,
non-confidential applications from around the globe. To be eligible, applicants
were required to demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
through the utilization and conversion of carbon dioxide to create valuable
carbon-based products. Projects could be at any stage of development from
initial proof-of-concept to commercial deployment in Alberta.

The CCEMC received 344 applications from around the world.
Each eligible application was reviewed by one of six seven-person teams
followed by a consensus meeting of technical adjudicators. Criteria used in the
assessment included greenhouse gas benefits, viability and scalability,
suitability for Alberta and timeframe – technology that can be demonstrated
within two years is favoured, however proposals with longer timelines but
potential for high impact were also considered as long as proof of concept can
be shown within two years.

Technical experts and a team of judges will vet full
proposals. Each of the judges brings diverse views to the selection process.
This global and multi-disciplinary evaluation is essential to identifying new
and breakthrough technology pathways.

The second round of the CCEMC Grand Challenge: Innovative
Carbon Uses will open for submissions in March 2015. It will be open to both
new entrants and all applicants from the first round. Up to five projects will
receive grants of up to $3 million each to develop their technologies. The
final winning solution will be announced in 2018, with the winner receiving a
$10 million grant to help commercialize their technology in Alberta.

The CCEMC is a not-for-profit corporation that focuses on
stimulating transformative change by funding projects that reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and help Alberta adapt to climate change. Funding for the CCEMC
is collected from industry. Since 2007, Alberta facilities that annually
produce more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are required to
reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by 12 per cent relative to a historic
baseline. Paying $15 into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund for
every tonne over the reduction limit is one compliance option.

In addition to the Grand Challenge, twice each year the
CCEMC invites submissions for projects that will reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The organization currently has $40 million available for projects
that reduce GHG emissions or enhance carbon sequestration from biological
sources. Details are available at ccemc.ca/apply.