Electrifying the economy, building energy resilience

The Province is investing in clean-energy technology projects that will help to make the use of clean electricity in B.C. more efficient and affordable, while managing and optimizing electricity use to reduce energy costs.

“It’s important that we support homegrown innovations to strengthen our leadership in clean energy technology,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “These clean-technology solutions will make using clean electricity easier for people and businesses, increase reliability and efficiency of our grid and help build our energy resilience.”

The Innovative Clean Energy Fund is providing nearly $6 million for six clean-technology projects under its second targeted call for clean energy innovation.

The six projects are making technological advancements in key areas of electricity management, heat pump technology and fleet electrification, helping strengthen B.C.’s intellectual property leadership in clean technology. These projects will support emissions reduction and increase the availability and affordability of upgrading to cleaner energy solutions for people throughout the province.

One of these projects is being led by Blueforce Electrification Technologies, whose new technology aims to electrify medium and heavy-duty fleets where no viable commercial electric vehicle alternatives exist. Government is providing nearly $1.3 million to support the project and its goal is to transform internal combustion engine vehicles into zero-emission and grid interactive vehicles. This will help reduce emissions and develop B.C.’s new energy resilience capabilities.

The fleets can include those operating in public services, such emergency response, health and transport. The company is collaborating with the City of Victoria, Universal CoachLine, DP World, BCIT SMART and Transportation Departments, Camosun College and Wei Wai Kum First Nation.

“Many fleet operators want to transition to zero-emission vehicles but simply don’t have practical EV options available today,” said Vandad Saniee, head of business development, BlueForce Energy. “Support from the Innovative Clean Energy Fund allows us to accelerate advanced electrification solutions that give existing vehicles a second life, reduce emissions and support a more circular and sustainable approach to fleet modernization.”

New targeted call for clean-energy innovation open

The Innovative Clean Energy Fund has launched its new targeted call for clean energy innovation, and the intake will be open from Tuesday, May 12, until June 15, 2026. The new call is seeking to fund technology solutions that would make electrification more affordable or optimize electrical utility energy management in B.C.

The Innovative Clean Energy Fund, allocated nearly $6 million to six clean-technology companies developing new technology:

Rainforest Automation, Vancouver ($700,000): Creating a demand-response management system that is expected to help utilities to manage energy and save businesses energy costs in real time. It is expected to lower utility operational costs, minimize disruptions and improve energy reliability.

Blueforce Electrification Technologies, Burnaby ($1.276 million): Developing new technology that is expected to transform internal combustion engine vehicles into zero-emission and grid interactive vehicles, helping to reduce emissions and develop new energy resilience capabilities.

CRWN.ai, Kelowna ($1.5 million): Creating a new technology system that is expected to provide real-time data on electrical leakage, which will help utilities inform their maintenance schedule, switch out assets that exhibit high electrical discharge, strengthening electricity system reliability.

Green Matters Technologies, Langley ($880,000): Developing a high-efficiency heat pump designed to replace traditional chillers, air conditioners and gas boilers in the brewing industry to enable energy efficiency and reduce operating costs for B.C.’s brewing industry.

Vitalis Equipment Technology, Kelowna ($750,000): Developing a centralized carbon-dioxide-based heating and cooling system designed for multi-unit residential and light commercial buildings to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

MegaHertz Power System, Vancouver ($800,000): Developing a new type of power converter that will increase power conversion efficiency up to 99.5% and lower operating costs.