Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the $15.7 million Commercialization, Expansion and Securing a Future for Corvus ESS Project. This announcement represents expanded project activity for the phase one OSC project, Field Validation of Energy Storage System Project, as part of the OSC’s Capacity and Supply Chain Expansion (CASCE) Program to help members scale up and expand as they continue to gain momentum and develop stronger relationships in the supply chain and ecosystem. The project team is expanding on Corvus’ Blue Whale Energy Storage System (ESS), Orca ESS and Dolphin ESS working on the transition to zero-emission marine vessels and maritime infrastructure.
The Commercialization, Expansion and Securing a Future for Corvus ESS Project will focus on the enhancement, certification, product release and/or demonstration of three energy storage system product lines and shore-side charging infrastructure. The project is expected to create and maintain 90 jobs through its development, expanded battery laboratory and test facilities, as well energy storage system production capacity with automated robotic manufacturing equipment.
Led by Corvus Energy out of Richmond, BC with partners AKA Energy Systems out of Montague, PEI and Seaspan Ferries of North Vancouver, BC, the total value of Commercialization, Expansion and Securing a Future for Corvus ESS Project is $15.7 million. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is providing $5 million, with the remainder of funding coming from the project team.
To date, the three Corvus ESSs have reduced GHG emission by over 9 megatonnes of CO2e. The project ensures continued supply of the lightweight Dolphin ESS, demonstrates first-ever in North America clean energy shore charging of the high-power Orca ESS, and increases production capacity for the multi-megawatt hour Blue Whale ESS as demand for longer duration zero-emission capabilities mounts. Corvus estimates that the incremental global impact of Blue Whale could be 450,000 tonnes CO2e/yr after five years.
Calls for proposals under the OSC’s 2021 CASCE Program were launched under the cluster’s first round of funding. The project announced today is in addition to the 16 projects announced in April that build on the success of active OSC projects with expanded scope and will help industry access and acquire the capability Canadian companies need now to become and stay globally competitive. The CASCE Program is helping to strengthen and grow supply chains and increase the capacity of Canadian ocean-focused companies, de-risking the acquisition of critical assets that are needed to accelerate commercialization and enable existing projects to meet the growing demand for their products and services.
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The OSC has approved 86 projects with a total value of more than $400 million which will deliver more than 130 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
Quotes
“This important project is yet another example of how the Ocean Cluster and its partners are helping to shape the marine industry of the future. By commercializing these new energy storage solutions, Corvus will help to significantly reduce emissions from marine vessels. Our government will continue to seize every opportunity to build a cleaner future, while positioning Canada as a strategic green supplier of choice.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Most of the world’s goods are moved through marine shipping, and today accounts for about three per cent of global emissions. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is proud to be a catalyst in developing collaborative partnerships and funding for projects that will not only help Canada meet its net-zero targets, but also create significant economic opportunity and jobs in the process. We are proud to work together with BC’s Corvus Energy and Seaspan Ferries, and PEI’s AKA Energy Systems to contribute to the health and productivity of our ocean, and our planet.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“We are grateful to the OSC for continued support of these important initiatives, which are critical to the shipping and marine transportation industry’s transition to cleaner energy alternatives. Canadian maritime cluster companies are emerging as innovators in the technology and knowhow needed to support North America’s marine transportation and port infrastructure energy transition, and Corvus is proud to count ourselves as a leader among them.” – Richard Wing, Chief R&D Officer at Corvus Energy
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca