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Flue Gas Recovery to Reduce Emissions Intensity

Sponsored By
4Front Advisory Inc.

We are seeking options for small to mid-scale post-combustion flue gas emitters to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO2 intensity.

Rewards:
  • 1st Prize: $5,000 CAD
  • 2nd Prize: $2,500 CAD
Start Date:
November 8, 2022
End Date:
December 21, 2022
Currently not accepting solutions.
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Challenge

BACKGROUND

Combustion of hydrocarbons and coal are amongst the largest supply sources of energy globally. Industry and society have benefitted from the low-cost, readily available and reliable access to these sources of energy. However, this has come at the expense of rising CO2, methane and other harmful gases produced in the combustion process, contributing significantly to elevated levels of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions over the past several decades.

Global emitters have recently identified Carbon Capture and Underground Sequestration (CCUS) as the most viable option for achieving meaningful reductions in CO2 emissions. There are a number of challenges to CCUS:

  1. Very high cost to capture and separate CO2 from flue gases
  2. Difficult to identify and access reservoirs with the proper geologic characteristics to support CO2 sequestration
  3. Federal and local approvals to use feasible reservoirs is not easy to obtain due to potential environmental hazards
  4. Distance between large emitters and potential CO2 injection sites for underground storage can be high, increasing transportation costs
  5. Dedicated CO2 pipeline infrastructure may need to be built to facilitate transportation between emitters and storage sites

Consequently, in Canada, CCUS is an initiative being driven by the largest emitters, with billions of dollars being committed in the long-term to build the necessary CO2 capture, transportation and injection infrastructure. Ultimately, this process will be a hub model, with a centralized CO2 pipeline network and several connected CO2 emitter sites and injection facilities.

One key challenge of the centralized CO2 gathering and injection model, especially in Canada, is it is less accessible, and thus more expensive, for emitters further from the gathering infrastructure. Additionally, the high associated costs mean smaller emitters potentially do not have the financial resources to participate in either the hub model or to set up a standalone CCUS.

The challenge for smaller post-combustion CO2 emitters are numerous:

  1. While supply of hydrocarbons as an energy source is stable, energy delivery from renewable sources such as solar and wind could be intermittentin certain geographies.
  2. It is difficult to reduce energy intensity, as measured as CO2 per unit of energy, for some of the more energy efficient emitters.
  3. Given the high cost for standalone CCUS, it is difficult for some emitters to identify ways to economically reduce absolute emissions.
  4. Emitters that are not in jurisdictions with non-hydrocarbon sources of energy supply (such as hydro or nuclear), do not have the option to pursue electrification of assets as an option for absolute CO2 emissions reduction without investing in expensive captive infrastructure.

With this view, that combustion processes are likely required for the foreseeable future to provide society the necessary supply of low-cost and reliable energy, there is opportunity to look for ways to enhance energy efficiency further to improve CO2 intensity metrics and reduce the GHG footprint.

CURRENT SOLUTIONS

As discussed previously, CCUS is a primary solution for capturing post-combustion flue gases, albeit the above noted challenges.

There also exist a number of off-the-shelf solutions to capture CO2 from flue gas, though there needs to be a concurrent use for the CO2 segregated to achieve effective reduction in emissions.

PAIN POINTS

Post-combustion CO2 emitters are challenged from the perspective of having few other cost-effective options available to provide necessary energy to end users.

There are also costs and encumbrances associated with participating in a Hub model along with peers to achieve a collaborative CCUS arrangement.

In addition, locational restrictions and federal and provincial regulations also have to be considered for any kind of solution implementation.

DESIRED OUTCOME

We are seeking options for small to mid-scale post-combustion flue gas emitters to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO2 intensity.

The ideal solution will capture flue gas and utilize a combination of heat recovery and / or CO2 sequestration on a small scale and low cost to allow smaller emitters to participate economically with the social drive to achieve net zero emissions.

We are seeking solutions that are at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 as per the grid provided below:

Specific requirements for this Challenge include:

  • Technology must be validated in existing applications
  • Solution must be easily integrated with existing infrastructure (power plants, compressor stations, and other combustion processes generating flue gas)
  • Any intellectual property & technology must be in public domain, owned by the submitter or the submitter should be sufficiently licensed to use the same

 

The Solution offered must be able to exhibit one or all of the following:

  • Incremental resource generation for the same energy input (incremental power generation, waste heat utilization for a new process, new revenue stream from a process benefiting from waste heat or power generation)
  • Process that is able to capture CO2 for sequestration on a smaller and more economic scale than CCUS

RECOGNITION

With the consent of the Solution Submitters, the winning Solutions will be featured in online forums and the success shared with the Get2Net0 network. In addition, as mutually agreed on, introduction to professional networks, business development assistance and access to public and private funding could be provided.

Documents

Guide to Providing a complete Solution and the scoring Rubrics
Energy Challenge

Rewards

1st Prize: $5,000 CAD

Reward for the top Solution submission will be $5,000 CAD

2nd Prize: $2,500 CAD

Reward for the 2nd place Solution submission will be $2,500 CAD

Rules

The Challenge Sponsor is an individual, group, company or an organization who has developed and sponsored the challenge.

This Challenge is sponsored by 4Front Advisory Inc. (the “Challenger Sponsor” and hosted by get2net0.com (the “Site”) which is operated by Get2Net0 Inc. (together, the “Organizers”).

By participating in this Challenge, each Solution Provider agrees to abide by, and be legally bound by, these Rules and Regulations. For general terms and conditions of the Site please refer to the Term of Use and Privacy Policy on www.get2net.com.

  1. Eligibility

All individuals, teams, and organisations (“Solution Provider”) that meet and follow all requirements of these Rules and Regulations are eligible to participate in the Challenge.

Any deviations from these Rules and Regulations require prior authorization from the Organizers.

To participate in the Challenge, any individual may be asked to produce identification and eligibility documentation in a manner that the organisers deem appropriate, in their sole and absolute discretion. In the event that such proof is not promptly provided to the Organizers’ satisfaction as and when requested, such non compliance may result in disqualification of the Solution Provider.

  1. Registration

In order to participate in the Challenge, Solution Provider must upload their submission before the Challenge deadline date as per instructions at the following website www.get2net0.com

  1. Challenge Period

The start and end date of the Challenge is provided on the Challenge Listing. The duration of the Challenge may be changed at the sole discretion of the Organizers without assigning any reasons or providing any notice period.

The Organizers reserve the right to modify the Challenge, these Rules and Regulations at any time and from time to time, or to cancel this Challenge for any reason whatsoever.

  1. Submission Requirements

In order to participate and be be eligible for the Prize (as defined below), a Solution Provider must submit a complete submission (a “Submission”) within the Challenge Period. The Organizers will not accept any Submissions received after the Challenge Period. Only one Submission per Solution provider will be accepted.

A Submission shall include all of the following and meet all the below requirements:

  • must be in English language only
  • must be in writing through the provided submission form, or by e-mail to the address provided in the submission form if the materials do not exceed 5MB and are converted to a PDF format, or through a link to a cloud storage environment if the materials are over 5MB

Each Solution Provider warrants and represents that their Submission:

  • does not violate any law, statute, ordinance or regulation;
  • does not infringe on third party’s intellectual property, invasion of privacy or publicity, or infringe on any rights or interests of any third party, or give rise to any claims for payment whatsoever; and
  • is not defamatory, libellous, pornographic or obscene, and does not violate any laws relating to hate speech, and further it will not contain, depict, include or involve, without limitation, any of the following: nudity; alcohol/drug consumption or smoking; explicit or graphic sexual activity, or sexual innuendo; crude, vulgar or offensive language and/or symbols; derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups; content that endorses, condones and/or discusses any illegal, inappropriate or risky behaviour or conduct; personal information of individuals, including, without limitation, names, telephone numbers and addresses (physical or electronic); commercial messages, comparisons or solicitations for products or services; any identifiable third party products, trademarks, brands and/or logos; conduct or other activities in violation of these Rules and Regulations; and/or any other content that is or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive, all as determined by the Organizers in its sole and absolute discretion.
  1. Evaluation & Timeframe

The Site will forward all relevant submissions to the Challenge Sponsor to evaluate. The Challenge Sponsor will decide the winner of the Challenge at their own discretion and their decision will be final and binding. The Winner(s) will be announced and communicated to on or before 30 days of the Challenge completion date.

  1. Prizes

The Prize will be quantified in the Challenge Listing as decided by the Challenge Sponsor.

  1. Intellectual Property

The Solution provider retains all IP rights to their innovation, technology and/or process and any IP or rights to use of the IP to the Challenge sponsor will be through a separate agreement as mutually agreed to between the Solution Provider and the Challenge Sponsor. If the IP is in pubic domain, then the Solution provider will notify the Challenge Sponsor of the same.

As part of the Solution submission, the Solution Provider should clearly state any IP, patents etc. that are contained in their submission so that the Challenge Sponsor is well aware of the same.

Get2net0 Inc., the owner of get2net0.com, is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for the protection of the IP of the Solution Provider and/or any IP disclosed by the Challenge Sponsor or parties to the terms of any present or future transfer of such IP between the Solution Provider and Challenge Sponsor.

  1. Other Matters

Each Solution Provider agrees to the use of his or her Submission, name, organization, address, voice, statements about the Challenge, and photograph or other likeness, without further notice or compensation, in any publicity or advertisement carried out by the Organizers in any manner whatsoever, including print, broadcast or the internet.

The Organizers reserve the right to modify the Challenge, these Rules and Regulations at any time and from time to time, or to cancel this Challenge for any reason whatsoever.

Any dispute between a Solution Provider and the Organizers in connection with the Challenge or these Rules and Regulations shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions and the courts of Province of Ontario shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any such disputes. The Challenge is void to the extent prohibited or restricted by law.

The Organizers will not be liable for: (i) any inaccessibility of the relevant websites before, during or after the Challenge Period; (ii) any lost, incomplete, destroyed, misdirected, illegible or late entries or any other reason a Submission is not received; (iii) any injury or damage to an Solution Provider’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any material relating to the Challenge; (iv) any illness, injury, sleep deprivation, stress related illness/injury or any other illness/injury of any kind claimed to be caused by or related to an Solution Provider’s entry or participation in this Challenge; or (v) any combination of the above.

EACH ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT HEREBY RELEASES, AND AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, THE ORGANIZERS FROM ANY AND ALL DAMAGES, INJURIES, CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, LIABILITY OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING ACTUAL LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES), KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ABSOLUTE OR CONTINGENT, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO: (A) THE ORGANIZERS EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF THE CHALLENGE; (B) FAILURE BY THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS; (C) ANY MISREPRESENTATION MADE BY AN ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT UNDER THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS OR OTHERWISE TO THE ORGANIZERS IN RESPECT OF THE CHALLENGE; (D) PARTICIPATION BY THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT IN THE CHALLENGE; (E) RECEIPT, USE OR REDEMPTION OF ANY PRIZE BY THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT, OR HIS OR HER INABILITY TO RECEIVE, USE OR REDEEM ANY PRIZE; (F) ANY CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT OR ANY OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-RELATED CAUSE OF ACTION.

Participation in the Challenge constitutes acceptance of and agreement with these Rules and Regulations.

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