H2nanO and upstream energy industry partners will demonstrate a new, combined approach of solar photocatalytic and biological treatment process water to improve water quality and reduce emissions via natural remediation pathways. The project will aim to convert waters requiring long-term storage or sub-surface disposal into an environmental benefit for carbon sequestration and emissions abatement.
ERA will support a first-of-kind on-site pilot of H2nanO’s SolarPass technology at a partner mine site in combination with constructed wetland systems. The combined performance and corresponding offset of emissions from water treatment and plant growth will be modelled to forecast the emissions reduction potential of this solar-bio process. H2nanO will also evaluate passive solar treatment to reduce disposal and transport of process waters. The project will create new, high skill green jobs in the energy sector and advance the engineering and science of passive water treatment for a key environmental priority in Alberta. The knowledge from the project will help to inform future strategies for water management in oil sands operations as well as other upstream energy, mining, agriculture, and forestry sectors in to support a clean resources economy in Alberta and Canada.