Many of the solutions needed to achieve Nova Scotia's net-zero goals by 2050 will need to be invented, proven, and scaled up to achieve further reductions in GHG emissions. Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program - Nova Scotia (ECT-NS) is bringing critical, emerging technologies and concepts from the laboratory to the market may take decades to achieve.
Come here when you want to view what projects are underway, or visit our research portal to learn more about ECT-NS.
A Successful Program and Notable Year: ECT-NS Annual Report
The Province of Nova Scotia was the first partner for Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program and, after two years of open calls, we have results and notable trends to share.
ECT-NS Priority Research Themes & Projects
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 in alphabetical order under a priority research theme identified and by the lead researcher's last name.
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: Fall 2023
Empowering Sustainable Livestock Practices: Advanced Sensors for GHG Monitoring
Priority Research Theme: Agricultural Emissions
Lead researcher and organization: Ghader Manafiazar, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Fall 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: Fall 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: Summer 2023
Electricity System / Power Challenges Post 2030
Enhanced Grid Stability and Power Management in Nova Scotia through AI-Driven Autonomous Voltage Control
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Dr. Hamed Aly, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Fall 2024
Mobile DC-Microgrid with integrated energy storage as a resilient and sustainable energy source for Nova Scotia
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Dr. Hamed Aly, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Fall 2024
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: Summer 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
Affordable Advanced Metering Technology Solutions (DERs for energy generation, distribution and consumption awareness with Realtime energy data)
Priority Research Theme: Power Challenges Post 2030
Lead researcher and organization: Abdul’ Onabanjo, iFormit Solutions Inc
Awarded: Fall 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: Summer 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: Summer 2023
Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Eco-Friendly Fisheries
Priority Research Theme: Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Ulaş Güntürkün, Marecomms Inc.
Awarded: Summer 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: Fall 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: Summer 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
Advanced Flow Control Strategies for Drag Reduction in Fishing and Ferry Vessel Designs
Priority Research Theme: Fishing and Ferry Fleets
Lead researcher and organization: Mohammad Saeedi, Dalhousie University
Awarded: Fall 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: Fall 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: Fall 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: Fall 2023
Catalytic Hydroreforming Gasification of Low-Value Forest Biomass to Novel High-Value Biofuels (Hythane and Hydrochar)
Priority Research Theme: Hydrogen as an Alternate Fuel Source
Lead researcher and organization: Dr. Sonil Nanda, Dalhousie University (Faculty of Agriculture)
Awarded: Fall 2024
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: Fall 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: Fall 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: Summer 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: Summer 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: Summer 2023
Genetic optimization of Microalgae strains for increased CO2 sequestration
Priority Research Theme: Nature-Based Solutions for Carbon Sequestration
Lead researcher and organization: Dilan Jaunky, GC Lipid Technologies Inc.
Awarded: Fall 2024
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: Fall 2023
Innovative Solutions for Eelgrass Monitoring: Bridging Ecology and Economy
Priority Research Theme: Nature-based Solutions for Carbon Sequestration
Lead researcher and organization: Levi Morrison, COVE
Awarded: Fall 2024
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: Summer 2023