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Government of Canada Announces Support for Ekona Power Inc.’s Clean Hydrogen Development

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BURNABY, BC, July 9, 2024 /CNW/ –  As nations globally move to reduce carbon emissions and shift to non-emitting forms of energy, investing in clean technologies will help ensure Canada remains a global energy leader. Ultra-low carbon sources of energy such as wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power are key to seizing the enormous economic opportunities that are available to Canadians in all regions of the country.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a new investment of $1 million from the Energy Innovation Program’s Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching initiative to Ekona Power Inc. This funding will support Ekona in advancing its methane pyrolysis solution for clean hydrogen production from natural gas. Building on the success of a prior program to develop and test Ekona’s xCaliber™ reactor, which was previously supported by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through its Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada Program, this project will support further development of the reactor and expand Ekona’s Burnaby test facility.

Ekona’s solution converts natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions when compared with other conventional processes used to produce hydrogen. Ekona’s unique pyrolysis reactor uses the principles of combustion and high-speed gas dynamics to dissociate feedstock methane. It is low-cost, scalable and easy to integrate, and it leverages existing natural gas infrastructure to deliver a practical solution that meets the growing demand for clean hydrogen and the needs of Canadian industry.

Ekona’s novel solution has the potential to produce low-cost clean hydrogen while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent. More broadly, it could enable cost-effective, ultra-low-carbon hydrogen gas production from natural gas within the need to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. This project will also help Ekona build and test its pilot plant, validate performance against commercial targets and explore how this technology can be utilized in British Columbia for decarbonizing the natural gas network.

While we continue to foster economic growth and build Canada’s clean economy, significant investments — such as the one announced today — are being made to accelerate the production, distribution and use of clean fuels, including clean hydrogen. These advancements are guided by Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy, which introduced a framework in 2020 to help position Canada as a global supplier and producer of clean hydrogen on our path to net zero by 2050.

Quotes

Canada is taking important steps to keep being a clean energy supplier of choice as we drive progress toward a net-zero world. Investing in innovations such as Ekona’s provides opportunities to advance Canada’s hydrogen value chain, create jobs and seize the economic opportunity of growing global demand for hydrogen.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Ekona is a key player in the clean technology ecosystem within B.C. and Burnaby. Local leaders like Ekona are helping to drive us toward a sustainable economy and supporting our net-zero emission goals. We look forward to the continued partnership.”

The Honourable Terry Beech
Minister of Citizens’ Services
Member of Parliament for Burnaby North–Seymour

Canada’s natural gas resources and infrastructure are critical for meeting tomorrow’s net-zero targets. Ekona’s methane pyrolysis platform unlocks natural gas’s potential for clean hydrogen production without the need for carbon-dioxide sequestration. This made-in-Canada technology offers a viable and near-term solution for using hydrocarbons in cleaner, better ways. NRCan has been an active supporter of Ekona and our technology vision since 2020, and we are grateful for its support.”

Chris Reid
CEO, Ekona Power Inc.

Quick Facts

Ekona’s clean hydrogen production plants operate without the need for water, or carbon-dioxide sequestration and use a minimal amount of electricity including renewable sources. These features allow the solution to be placed anywhere on the natural gas network and to leverage existing infrastructure.Ekona’s pulsed methane pyrolysis (PMP) reactor is integrated with industry-standard equipment for carbon separation and hydrogen purification to deliver a low-cost system. It is also catalyst-free, minimizing electricity consumption and mitigating carbon fouling.Ekona will deploy its first field unit next year. Ekona Gold Creek is a 1-tonne-per-day (1TPD) Customer Demonstration Plant. It will be deployed at Arc Resources’ Gold Creek gas plant to demonstrate how methane pyrolysis technology can decarbonize upstream oil and gas operations. The plant will be built, commissioned and tested in 2025 for operations in 2026.NRCan’s Energy Innovation Program advances clean energy technologies that will help Canada meet its climate change targets while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. It funds research, development and demonstration projects, and other related scientific activities.Interest in low-carbon hydrogen in Canada has increased significantly since 2020, with over 80 low-carbon hydrogen production projects announced, representing over five million tonnes of hydrogen production capacity and an economic expression of interest of over $100 billion in potential investment in domestic clean energy opportunities and jobs.Since 2020, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have published hydrogen strategies, identifying hydrogen as a provincial clean energy priority and describing provincial actions and objectives to realize regional low-carbon hydrogen objectives.Hydrogen has been identified as a key opportunity area under the British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Table and features prominently in the recently released British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Table – Framework for Collaboration on the Path to Net-Zero. The Regional Energy and Resource Tables are joint partnerships between the federal government and individual provincial and territorial governments in collaboration with Indigenous partners — and with input from key stakeholders — to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a low-carbon future in the energy and resource sectors.There are now 13 low-carbon hydrogen production facilities in operation across Canada, able to produce over 3,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year.

Related Information

Hydrogen Strategy for Canada and Progress Report 
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy 
Net-zero emissions by 2050
Budget 2024 – Attracting Investment for a Net-Zero Economy
Backgrounder: Economic Growth and Productivity
Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit 
Energy Innovation Program 
Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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/C O R R E C T I O N from Source — Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc./

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In the news release, Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is 30% Stronger than Existing Roadways, issued 12-Nov-2024 by Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc. over CNW, we are advised by the company that corrections were made to the release. The complete, corected release follows:

Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways

Carbon Upcycling’s concrete mix demonstrated a 28% increase in strength at 28 days, while reducing cementitious content by 12.3%, setting a new standard for low-carbon sustainable infrastructure

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Inc. (Carbon Upcycling), a leader in decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization (CCU) for hard-to-abate industries, along with, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) has successfully completed the construction phase of a multi-year study on the use of low-carbon cement in highways. The results highlight Carbon Upcycling’s ability to be a drop-in solution for reducing carbon-intensive cement in concrete.

The study, managed by Sutter Engineering LLC and sponsored by the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA), rigorously tested 16 unique concrete mixtures in real-world conditions on an active Minnesota highway to identify options that could reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure without sacrificing strength or durability. Completed in early 2024, the study aimed to find materials that could significantly lower the carbon footprint of concrete paving without compromising durability. Carbon Upcycling’s CO2-enhanced mix achieved a 12.3% reduction in cement content while matching the workability of traditional concrete, allowing seamless handling, placement, and setting times for construction crews. These findings provide valuable data to guide future low-carbon infrastructure projects across North America, as the seamless integration into existing workflows offers a drop-in, low-carbon alternative without compromising ease of use or performance.

The study revealed significant performance and environmental benefits of Carbon Upcycling’s concrete mix:

Increased Strength: 28% stronger at 28 days compared to the advanced control concrete.Reduced Cement Use: The CCU process allowed a 12.3% reduction in cementitious material, effectively reducing both carbon emissions and material costs.Greater Resiliency to Natural Elements: 32% increase in chloride resistivity for more durable concrete.

“Infrastructure is the very foundation of a sustainable future, and at Carbon Upcycling we’re committed to creating materials that support this vision while establishing a secure, stable North American supply chain,” said Apoorv Sinha, CEO of Carbon Upcycling. “Our collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation highlights how Carbon Upcycling can transform captured emissions into local materials that strengthen our infrastructure. By focusing on resilience and sustainability, we’re contributing to a vision where our essential structures are clean and built to last.”

Carbon Upcycling partnered with BURNCO to deploy and test 140 m³ of its CCU-enhanced concrete mix, monitored by Larry Sutter, Principal Engineer at Sutter Engineering LLC, for strength, workability, and environmental impact on a Minnesota highway.

“Carbon Upcycling submitted a very impressive mixture design to the trial,” said Larry Sutter, MnDOT’s Principal Engineer and the project’s technical manager. “Their material not only achieved the highest reduction in cementitious content among all submissions but also demonstrated remarkable strength. By embedding CO2 and reducing the reliance on portland cement, Carbon Upcycling’s technology addresses one of the concrete industry’s most pressing challenges—lowering its carbon footprint as global demand for cement is expected to double by 2050. This project data will be invaluable as the industry works toward its 2030 CO2 reduction targets.”

Since 2021, Carbon Upcycling has deployed over 3,000 tonnes of low-carbon cement and has attracted investment from some of the world’s largest cement industry players such as Cemex, CRH and Titan Cement.

About Carbon Upcycling Technologies:
Carbon Upcycling is a decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization technology provider for the world’s hardest-to-abate industries. The company’s commercial technology upcycles point-source industrial CO2 emissions and local industrial waste materials into high-performance, low-carbon cement alternatives. The company is currently commissioning its first-of-a-kind commercial system at Canada’s largest cement plant. Carbon Upcycling has received global recognition for its industry-leading innovation. Notably, Carbon Upcycling was named a 2023 and 2024 Global Cleantech 100, Reuter’s Top 100 Innovators Leading the Energy Transition, and a World Economic Forum 2024 Technology Pioneer.

For more information, visit www.carbonupcycling.com.

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SOURCE Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc.

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Massachusetts Community Colleges Partner with AMSimpkins & Associates to Implement their S.A.F.E. Platform in Efforts to Combat Student Applicant Fraud

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This partnership marks a significant milestone for Massachusetts Community Colleges in their efforts to prevent fraud and ensure equitable access to education. The implementation of S.A.F.E. will provide the institutions with cutting-edge technology and reliable safeguards, solidifying their reputation as forward-thinking leaders in the fight against student application fraud.

ATLANTA, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMSimpkins & Associates, a leader in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for educational institutions, is proud to announce that Massachusetts Community Colleges have selected the S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) platform to bolster their efforts in preventing and detecting student application fraud. This strategic move underscores Massachusetts’ commitment to maintaining the integrity of its admissions process and ensuring that valuable educational resources reach legitimate students.

“We’re excited to partner with Massachusetts Community Colleges and support their mission to provide quality education to genuine, eligible students.”

In recent years, fraudulent applications and financial aid scams have become increasingly pervasive issues, especially as institutions pivot towards more digital and remote application processes. By adopting the S.A.F.E. platform, Massachusetts Community Colleges are taking a proactive stance to safeguard their institutions against evolving fraud tactics.

S.A.F.E., developed by AMSimpkins & Associates, is a comprehensive fraud detection and prevention solution that leverages advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms, and real-time monitoring to identify potentially fraudulent activity within the student application and financial aid processes. With over 50 colleges and universities already utilizing the S.A.F.E. platform, Massachusetts Community Colleges now join a growing community of educational institutions committed to integrity, transparency, and security.

“S.A.F.E. is built from the ground up with the unique needs of higher education institutions in mind,” said Maurice Simpkins, President of AMSimpkins & Associates. “With our deep understanding of the higher education landscape, we’ve created a solution that not only detects and prevents fraud but also allows institutions to seamlessly integrate these checks into their admissions workflows. We’re excited to partner with Massachusetts Community Colleges and support their mission to provide quality education to genuine, eligible students.”

The S.A.F.E. platform offers a robust set of features to prevent and detect fraudulent applications, including:

Real-time Identity Verification: Through partnerships with industry-leading identity verification services, S.A.F.E. ensures that applicants are who they claim to be by cross-referencing multiple data points, including Social Security Number validation, address checks, and real-time ID verification.AI-Driven Anomaly Detection: S.A.F.E. continuously monitors and learns from application data patterns, enabling it to detect suspicious behaviors that could indicate fraudulent activity.Geo-Blocking and Risk Scoring: Institutions can customize geo-blocking settings to restrict access from high-risk regions and employ dynamic risk scoring based on user interactions, device profiling, and behavior analytics.Customizable Fraud Rules and Policies: The platform allows administrators to set specific fraud thresholds and responses, tailoring the system’s sensitivity to meet the unique needs of each college or university.Real-time Alerts and Data Sharing: S.A.F.E. sends real-time alerts to designated stakeholders if suspicious activities are detected, allowing for quick responses and preventative actions.Additionally, the platform facilitates data sharing across institutions to block repeated offenders system-wide.

In addition to its fraud prevention features, AMSimpkins & Associates also provides cybersecurity consulting and support through partnerships with Cybersecurity organizations, adding another layer of protection for Massachusetts Community Colleges. This comprehensive approach aligns perfectly with the state’s vision of creating a secure and resilient higher education environment.

About AMSimpkins & Associates

AMSimpkins & Associates is an industry-leading provider of cybersecurity solutions focused on safeguarding educational institutions. Their flagship product, S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination), is specifically designed to address the complex challenges of fraud in higher education admissions and financial aid. By partnering with colleges, universities, and technology providers, AMSimpkins & Associates is committed to maintaining the integrity of education by keeping students and institutions safe from fraud.

For more information about AMSimpkins & Associates and the S.A.F.E. platform, please visit amsa-highered.com

Media Contact

LAQWACIA SIMPKINS, AMSimpkins and Associates, 1 6786824193, LSIMPKINS@AMSA-CONSULTING.COM, AMSimpkins and Associates

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

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SOURCE AMSimpkins and Associates

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bswift Acquires Evive: Launches Integrated Personalized Engagement Platform

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bswift announces a fully integrated personalized engagement solution aimed at delivering better health care outcomes through data-driven personalization, predictive analytics, and behavioral science. 

CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — bswift LLC, an industry leader in employee benefits technology and administration, announced today the launch of its fully-integrated personalization and engagement engine. This solution is a result of bswift’s recent acquisition of Evive Health, LLC, a pioneer in the field with a demonstrated track record of driving outcomes for employees, employers and health plans by optimizing benefit understanding and utilization, resources, and programs for millions of Americans. 

“By bringing bswift and Evive together, we have integrated a powerful engagement platform,” – bswift CEO, Ted Bloomberg.

With this exciting investment, bswift reinforces its mission to lead the benefits administration space and strengthens its role as a strategic ally for its clients – empowering them to deliver on their benefits strategies by motivating plan participants to manage their health and wellbeing proactively.

“Our clients and partners consistently tell us that member engagement, personalized experiences, and cost management are their top strategic priorities today and in the foreseeable future,” said bswift CEO, Ted Bloomberg. “By bringing bswift and Evive together, we have integrated a powerful engagement platform into our core benefits administration solution. That is a first, and we are delighted to immediately and directly support employers’ critical priorities with proven, industry-leading capabilities.” 

Using data-driven personalization and the power of predictive analytics and behavioral science, bswift’s personalization toolset is proven to increase benefits awareness, engagement, and utilization by delivering tailored and actionable messages about the right benefit at the right time. Demonstrated results include driving a 3X increase in health actions recommended by qualified providers, and a 12% increase in annual preventative care screening visits. 

“We’re thrilled to be the first in our market to deliver this supercharged engagement capability across all aspects of the user experience,” said bswift Executive Vice President of Product, Matt Waldrup. “bswift is completely reimagining the benefits experience with personalized, data-driven, multi-channel communications that engage employees across their physical, emotional, financial, and personal wellbeing, empowering people to make the most of their benefits.” 

bswift’s new personalization engine empowers employers and employees: 

Personalized, next-best-action journeysReward and incentive-based gamification to boost engagementOn-the-go access to benefits and incentive activities via mobile appRobust analytics and reporting for HR teams to track campaign ROI and engagement metrics

Employers can now leverage bswift’s expertise to systematically deliver smarter, more relevant communications to promote healthier habits, optimize benefit utilization – and maximize employee health outcomes. 

About bswift 
bswift LLC offers cloud-based technology and services that transform the way employees perceive and engage with their benefits. With adaptive technology, service excellence, and compassionate service, bswift serves millions worldwide. Their comprehensive suite of solutions provides intuitive, personalized online enrollment, interactive decision support, ACA compliance reporting, and employee engagement. Visit www.bswift.com to learn more. 

About Evive 

Evive is a digital communications and engagement platform that helps health plans and employers optimize the benefits, resources and programs they offer their employees. Using data-driven personalization, closed-loop engagement reporting and the power of predictive analytics and behavioral science, Evive increases benefits awareness, engagement and utilization to deliver the right message about the right benefit at the right time. Visit www.goevive.com to learn more.

Media Contact: 
Zoya Siddiqui 
Senior Director, Marketing 
zsiddiqui@bswift.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bswift-acquires-evive-launches-integrated-personalized-engagement-platform-302307016.html

SOURCE bswift LLC

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