Welcome to this week's Sunday Briefing. In this issue, read about an investment in geothermal technology development, plus 17 other stories you may have missed. Have a great day. We'll see you again on Wednesday.

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The geothermal arms race is underway

Calgary’s Eavor Technologies had an exciting end to the month. Alongside Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz, as well as the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, the Rural Municipalities Association, and Brazeau County, Eavor began the planning and development of the Alberta Drilling Accelerator.

Led by the Government of Alberta, Eavor, and other stakeholders, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator (ADA) will represent a technology-agnostic, market-driven, geothermal test site available for use by any geothermal company to enable novel drilling techniques and off-site technology development.

“With the cumulative geothermal investment poised to reach $1 trillion by 2050, a geothermal arms race is very much underway to commercialize novel drilling techniques that accelerate geothermal development—exhibited by testing facilities in the United States, China, and Iceland,” said John Redfern, president and CEO, Eavor Technologies. “As Canada’s first geothermal test bed, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator will help bring geothermal technologies to scale, supporting companies like Eavor. We commend the Government of Alberta for this bold initiative.”

The first of its kind in Canada, the test bed will help establish Alberta as a global leader in geothermal technology commercialization and export.

🤝 Funding, Deals, and Partnerships

• Hydrogen power projects receive $57 million in funding from Alberta government. Alberta government wants to make the province the “hydrogen capital of Canada.” Betakit

• Calgary’s agtech scene grows with $52M GoodLeaf Farms investment. Projected to create over 90 jobs, the GoodLeaf Farms’ new facility leverages innovative technology and enhances food security of the region by producing over two million pounds of fresh greens annually. Calgary Economic Development

• University of Calgary transforms medical education management with LGI. The platform will cater to Royal College Specialty programs utilizing the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum, Family Medicine programs adhering to the Triple C Curriculum, and undergraduate medical learners. LGI Healthcare Solutions

• 2024 University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants awards over $1M. 36 recipients across 12 units receive funding for teaching and learning research. University of Calgary

• Galatea secures $2.7 million to help oil and gas companies tackle waste disposal. Amid shifting environmental and regulatory landscape, Calgary firm eyes US expansion. Betakit

📰 Need To Know

• Leaders in innovation. Read on to see how some of Calgary’s dreamers, thinkers and doers continue to lead the way in innovation, locally and globally. Avenue Calgary

• Green Economy Calgary hub opens to help businesses to become green, get greens. Among the supports provided by the hub will be one-on-one support, peer-network supports, and educational resources to help businesses lower their energy use and carbon emissions. Livewire Calgary

• Parker: Aerospace Innovation Hub adds to team advancing Calgary's growing industry. The impact AIH expects to make in the growth of our aerospace industry on the economy and well-being of Calgary and Alberta should be enormous. Calgary Herald

• Ian Gates named new associate vice-president (research and innovation). Serial innovator and accomplished researcher will bring continued leadership to the role. University of Calgary

• Exro receives 2024 Automotive News PACEpilot recognition. The award acknowledges post-pilot, pre-commercial innovations that are set to disrupt and revolutionize the automotive space. Exro Technologies

• UCalgary researchers can now predict kidney failure more accurately. New digital tool helps better inform treatment decisions for chronic kidney disease. University of Calgary

• Thin Air Labs co-founder James Lochrie shares why he bet on Calgary. As co-founder of what is arguably Calgary’s most prolific venture capital firm, Lochrie puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to building the tech and innovation economy here. Avenue Calgary

• Financial, technology risks likely delayed Alberta carbon capture project: analysts. “It hasn’t reached the level where it’s commercially viable, yet,” said Thomas Timmins, head of energy practice for the law firm Gowling WLG. The Canadian Press

• Calgary Youth Science Fair puts spotlight on future generation’s scientific innovations. Futuristic brain-computer interface idea among high school projects showcased at the Oval. University of Calgary

• Teen brothers teach Alberta students about microbial fuel cell technology. Kelvin Tan, the boys’ father, brought home a microbial fuel cell kit a few years ago, and his two sons enjoyed putting it together and watching it generate electricity. CTV News

• New initiatives empower transdisciplinary research and collaboration by grad students. University of Calgary President’s Doctoral Scholarship drives innovation across disciplines. University of Calgary

• Opinion: Alberta’s electricity grid needs energy storage to avoid brownouts. Earlier in April, communities in Calgary and Edmonton experienced brief power outages. Calgary Herald