The Canadian federal government is injecting $8.5 million into seven cleantech projects in Alberta, with a significant focus on hydrogen energy. Through Natural Resources Canada's Energy Innovation Program, $5 million is earmarked for three projects aimed at advancing technologies for decarbonizing industries. Companies like Aurora Hydrogen, Quantiam Technologies, and Innova Hydrogen are among the recipients of this funding. Aurora Hydrogen, based in Edmonton, is working on clean hydrogen production using microwave energy and is set to receive $3 million. Quantiam Technologies, also based in Edmonton, will utilize $1 million to produce carbon-negative methanol and fuels from captured CO2 and green hydrogen. Innova Hydrogen in Calgary is receiving $1 million for hydrogen production via catalytic methane pyrolysis. This investment aligns with Alberta's strategic shift towards hydrogen energy, traditionally known for its oil and gas industry. The province is actively promoting hydrogen as the 'next frontier' of energy and aims to incorporate clean hydrogen across various sectors by 2030. The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, led by Alberta Innovates, is a central player in this initiative, having previously invested $22.5 million in early-stage hydrogen projects. Other funded projects include a feasibility assessment of a pure hydrogen pipeline network for heating homes in Bremner, Alta., led by ATCO Gas and Pipelines in collaboration with Qualico. Edmonton's Innovative Fuel Systems secured $1.26 million for developing a hydrogen and diesel dual-fuel retrofit system for heavy-duty vehicles. In parallel, an additional $2.5 million was allocated for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) programs, with a focus on waste management and materials manufacturing for nuclear power. The Universities of Regina and Alberta are key recipients of this funding. The recent investments showcase a positive shift towards innovative and sustainable energy solutions in Alberta.