FuelCell Energy carbon capture project gets $6.8M in funding

FuelCell Energy Inc. on Feb. 17 said a carbon capture demonstration project using its proprietary carbonate fuel cell technology has secured $6.8 million in funding from Canada's Clean Resource Innovation Network.

FuelCell Energy's carbonate fuel cell technology is designed to capture CO2 from the oil and gas industry while producing power, providing a revenue stream that reduces the cost of carbon capture.

As part of the deal, FuelCell Energy's Canadian subsidiary Versa Power Systems Ltd. will serve as the technology and equipment provider for Clean Resource Innovation Network's pilot project. The project involves the construction of a MW-scale carbonate power plant that will capture carbon from a process heater at the Scotford Upgrader near Edmonton, Alberta, according to a news release.

The Scotford Upgrader is owned by Athabasca Oil Sands Project, a joint venture of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Chevron Corp. unit Chevron Canada Ltd. and Shell PLC subsidiary Shell Canada Ltd. Other industry participants in the carbon capture project include Suncor Energy Inc. and Cenovus Energy Inc.

"We are confident that the pilot will deliver the significant environmental benefits that the Canadian government is looking for, while helping to decarbonize its oil and gas industry and increase its competitiveness in the global market," said FuelCell Energy CEO and President Jason Few.