Dalhousie University Shines at Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards with Battery Innovation Breakthrough

Foresight Canada announced the winners of the inaugural Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards in Halifax, a ceremony that shone a spotlight on the region’s burgeoning clean technology sector and celebrated its contributions to sustainability, economic resilience, and climate action. Among the honorees were the City of Summerside, Dalhousie University, Carbon to Sea, pHathom Technologies, and CarbonRun—each recognized for their pioneering efforts in advancing renewable energy, carbon removal, and ecosystem restoration. These accolades arrive at a pivotal moment for Atlantic Canada, as the sector gains momentum through federal support, including a $72 million investment from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in 2024, and forecasts of 100,000 clean energy jobs by mid-century.

Atlantic Canada’s Cleantech Renaissance: A Region Poised for Transformation

Atlantic Canada, often celebrated for its rugged coastlines and maritime heritage, is quietly emerging as a powerhouse in the global cleantech arena. The region, long reliant on traditional industries such as fishing and natural resource extraction, is now steering toward a future defined by innovation and sustainability. The Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards, hosted by Foresight Canada, served as both a recognition of achievements and a clarion call for continued progress in clean technology adoption.

The City of Summerside, one of the award recipients, exemplifies the transformative potential of municipal leadership in this space. Through its Eco Park initiative, Summerside has integrated renewable energy sources like solar and wind into a smart grid system that supports local cleantech businesses while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This forward-thinking approach not only enhances energy efficiency but also positions the city as a model for other municipalities grappling with the complexities of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

Dalhousie University, another standout awardee, is breaking ground in the realm of battery innovation. The institution is establishing Canada’s first university-based battery prototyping and testing facility, a move that underscores the critical role of research and development in the clean energy transition. By focusing on advanced battery technologies, Dalhousie is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in renewable energy: storage and reliability. Their work holds promise not just for Atlantic Canada but for the broader global effort to decarbonize energy systems.

The contributions of organizations like Carbon to Sea and CarbonRun further highlight the region’s diverse approaches to tackling climate change. Carbon to Sea is delving into ocean alkalinity research, a cutting-edge method for large-scale CO₂ removal that leverages the ocean’s natural capacity to absorb carbon. Meanwhile, CarbonRun is pioneering river restoration techniques that simultaneously enhance ecosystem health and sequester carbon. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that climate solutions must be both innovative and holistic, addressing interconnected environmental challenges.

Federal Support and the Path to Net-Zero

The cleantech sector’s burgeoning success in Atlantic Canada is buoyed by robust federal support, with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) allocating $72 million to 166 projects in 2024 alone. This funding not only accelerates the development and deployment of clean technologies but also signals a broader commitment to economic diversification and resilience.

Projections of 100,000 clean energy jobs by 2050 underscore the sector’s potential to become a cornerstone of the regional economy. These roles will span a wide array of fields, from engineering and environmental science to manufacturing and project management, offering new opportunities for communities historically reliant on industries vulnerable to economic and environmental shifts.

Foresight Canada’s role in fostering collaboration between public and private sectors is particularly noteworthy. By convening stakeholders and facilitating partnerships, the organization is creating an ecosystem where innovation can thrive. This approach is essential in addressing urgent climate challenges, as it ensures that solutions are not only technically viable but also scalable and economically sustainable.

A Vision for the Future

The Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards are more than a celebration of individual achievements; they are a testament to the region’s collective ambition to lead in the global transition to a net-zero future. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, Atlantic Canada’s innovators are demonstrating that meaningful action is both possible and profitable.

The region’s success also serves as a reminder of the importance of local solutions in addressing global challenges. From Summerside’s smart grid to Dalhousie’s battery research, these initiatives are rooted in the unique characteristics and needs of Atlantic Canada, yet they offer insights and models that can be adapted elsewhere.

Looking ahead, the path to a sustainable future will require continued investment, collaboration, and innovation. It will demand not only technological breakthroughs but also a cultural shift toward valuing long-term resilience over short-term gains. Atlantic Canada’s cleantech sector is showing that this transition is within reach, offering hope and inspiration at a time when both are sorely needed.

As the applause fades from the awards ceremony in Halifax, the real work begins. The innovators celebrated at the Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards have laid the groundwork for a transformative future, but their success depends on sustained commitment from policymakers, industry leaders, and communities. In the end, the region’s ability to rise to the occasion may well determine its place in the story of global climate action—a story that is still being written.