The following is a list of Nova Scotia-based projects funded under the Net Zero Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program, a unique R&D program for Atlantic Canada led by Net Zero Atlantic and supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Each project is listed under a priority research theme identified by the program team at Net Zero Atlantic in alphabetical order by the lead researcher's last name.
Note: Summer 2024 awarded projects are now listed.
Agricultural Emissions
Harnessing Poultry Manure for Energy: A Strategy for Net Zero Emissions and Cost Reduction
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Khaled Benis, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
Recycling Waste Plastic into Solar Microconcentrators to Exceed the Thermodynamic Limits of Photovoltaics Generation for Net-zero Emissions in Agriculture
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Ghada Koleilat, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
Carbon Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Software Development
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Lise LeBlanc, LP Consulting Limited
Awarded: Summer 2024
Development of a regionally validated mid-infrared soil spectral library and predictive models to enable efficient, accurate and low-cost characterization of soil carbon content and sequestration potential in Nova Scotia agricultural and forest soils as influenced by management
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions, Nature-Based Solutions for Carbon Capture
Lead researcher and organization: Derek Lynch, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Empowering Sustainable Livestock Practices: Advanced Sensors for GHG Monitoring
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Ghader Manafiazar, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Piloting Acuicy Software to Incentivize Decarbonization of Agriculture Supply Chains in Nova Scotia
Priority research theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Allison Murray, Acuicy Inc.
Awarded: November 2023
A.I.-Driven Benchmarking Tool for Emission Reduction in Canadian Dairy Farms
Priority research theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Suresh Raja Neethirajan, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Adapting the Cool Farm Tool for Achieving Net-Zero Emissions in Nova Scotia's Agriculture
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Dr. Suresh Neethirajan, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)
Green ammonia derived membranes & sorbents for direct air capture of carbon dioxide
Priority Research Theme: Direct Air Capture
Lead researcher and organization: Saurabh S. Chitnis, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Two-step CO2 Capture and Storage Technology using Seawater and Mineral Carbonation of Mine Water Pool of Sydney Coalfields
Priority Research Theme: Direct Air Capture
Lead researcher and organization: Martin Mkandawire, Cape Breton University
Awarded: June 2023
Electricity System / Power Challenges Post 2030
Aggregation of Distributed Residential Energy Storage for Enhanced Grid Resilience and Renewable Energy Growth
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Marc Cormier, Tala Technologies
Awarded: Summer 2024
Moisture Tolerance Testing of Novel Perovskite Solar Cells
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Dane George, Rayleigh Solar Tech, Inc.
Awarded: Summer 2024
Heat Pump and Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage Feasibility Study
Priority Research Theme: Long-Term Energy Storage, Electricity System Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Wayne Groszko, Nova Scotia Community College
Awarded: June 2023
Testing and Validation of Two-stage, High temperature, Air-to-water Heat Pumps for the Nova Scotia Environment
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Dr. Dominic Groulx, Mechanical Engineering – Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
Evaluating the Potential of Stationary and Mobile Energy Storage to Improve Energy Flexibility in Nova Scotia
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Leigh St. Hilaire, Volta Research Inc.
Awarded: Summer 2024
Design and Construction of an On-Demand, Submerged Combustion, Direct-Contact Water Heater operating on Hydrogen for use in the Agricultural Sector
Priority Research Theme: Electricity System Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Michael Pegg, Dalhousie University
Awarded: June 2023
Chemical Remediation and Valorization of the Electrical Insulating Gas Sulfur Hexafluoride, the Most Potent Greenhouse Gas
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Alex Speed, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
Exploring pathways to net-zero: utilizing advanced energy system modelling to investigate the impact of long-duration energy storage on Nova Scotia's energy transition
Priority Research Theme: Long-Term Energy Storage, Electricity System Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Cameron Wade, Sutubra Research Inc.
Awarded: June 2023
Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Eco-Friendly Fisheries
Priority Research Theme: Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Ulaş Güntürkün, Marecomms Inc.
Awarded: June 2023
Advancement of Net-Zero Marine Technologies: Development of Long-lifetime Battery Prototype with Vessel-to-Grid (V2G) Functionality for Electric Marine Transportation in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
Priority research theme: Decarbonization of Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Ravindra Kempaiah, Zen Energy
Awarded: November 2023
High-performance hydrogen sensors for leak detection in transportation and industrial applications
Priority Research Theme: Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Hunter King, Integrative Nanotech Ltd.
Awarded: June 2023
Powered by the Ocean – Clean Energy from Motion to Power fishing Vessels and Ferries
Priority Research Theme: Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Maja Maher, Voltai
Awarded: Summer 2024
Quantifying Emissions Reductions in Ships with Crowdsourced Weather Routing
Priority research theme: Decarbonization of Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Craig Summers, SailTimer Inc.
Awarded: November 2023
Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel Source
Photocatalyts for sunlight driven simultaneous hydrogen generation and plastic degradation
Priority research theme: Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel Source
Lead researcher and organization: Mita Dasog, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Sustainable Hydrogen Generation Using Novel Heterogeneous Nanocomposites
Priority research theme: Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel Source
Lead researcher and organization: Geniece Hallet-Tapley, St. Francis Xavier University
Awarded: November 2023
Design and Construction of a Prototype micro-Combined Heat and Power Unit operating on an organic Rankine cycle fueled with Hydrogen Enriched Natural Gas up to 100 % Hydrogen
Priority research theme: Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel
Lead researcher and organization: Michael Pegg, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Novel high-performance opto-chromic sensing technology for visible detection of hydrogen leaks in pipelines and storage
Priority research theme: Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel Source
Lead researcher and organization: Alison Thompson, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Long-Term Energy Storage
Heat Pump and Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage Feasibility Study
Priority Research Theme: Long-Term Energy Storage, Electricity System Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Wayne Groszko, Nova Scotia Community College
Awarded: June 2023
Exploring pathways to net-zero: utilizing advanced energy system modelling to investigate the impact of long-duration energy storage on Nova Scotia's energy transition
Priority Research Theme: Long-Term Energy Storage, Electricity System Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Cameron Wade, Sutubra Research Inc.
Awarded: June 2023
Nature-Based Solutions
Feasibility Study of the Buoy System for Measuring Carbon Dioxide Removal and Environmentally Important Water Properties in the Context of mCDR
Priority Research Theme: Nature Based Solutions for Carbon Sequestration
Lead researcher and organization: Dariia Atamanchuk, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Summer 2024
A Feasibility Study for Nature-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Solutions at Nova Scotia Power’s Hydroelectric Facilities
Priority Research Theme: Nature-Based Solutions
Lead researcher and organization: Edmund Halfyard, CarbonRun Carbon Dioxide Removal Ltd.
Awarded: June 2023
Developing a C-budget model for balsam fir Christmas tree orchards and enhancing carbon drawdown
Priority research theme: Nature-based Solutions for Carbon Sequestration
Lead researcher and organization: Mason MacDonald, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
Awarded: November 2023
Reducing Greenhouse Gases and Improving the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Nova Scotia’s Wild Blueberry Industry
Priority Research Themes: Nature-Based Solutions, Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: David Percival, Bragg Lumber Company
Awarded: June 2023
Projects from Fall 2024 for Nova Scotia have yet to be announced.