Alberta Ecotrust and technology provider CleanO2 partnered to install CarbinX™ units in the buildings of nonprofit organizations such as the Excel Society in Edmonton. This program helps nonprofits reduce their energy costs while concurrently reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the community.

Energy conservation measures can help reduce a nonprofit’s environmental footprint while also improving their financial resilience through lower overall operating costs. 

Finding ways to reduce energy use in buildings can be time-consuming and expensive, making it difficult for nonprofits to lower their operating costs. Carbon capture and storage units can be used to rapidly reduce building energy use and emissions.

That is why Alberta Ecotrust has partnered with CleanO2, to launch the Carbon Capture for Nonprofits pilot project.

This program works with nonprofits, charities and social housing organizations in Calgary and Edmonton to install the CARBiN-X unit in their building so they can reduce emissions, lower costs and improve building performance. 

The Carbon Capture for Nonprofits Pilot Program

CarbinX™ units capture carbon dioxide emissions from building heating systems and turn them into non-toxic pearl ash (potassium carbonate). The heat from the exhaust, as well as the exothermic reaction within the unit is recovered and used, resulting in lower natural gas consumption.

CleanO2 upcycles the pearl ash into cleaning products, thus creating the world’s first carbon capture soap. This innovative product is available for consumers to purchase. 

The first installation of the CarbinX™ units took place at the Excel Society in Edmonton in 2023. It is estimated that the building will reduce 6 t CO2e/Unit/year of natural gas emissions and capture another 5 t CO2e/Unit/year.

Are you a nonprofit in Calgary or Edmonton? Does your organization own your building or have a long-term lease? You may be a fit for the Carbon Capture for Nonprofits pilot project. We’d love to hear from you. Contact Adil Shivji, Program Specialist, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, at a.shivji@albertaecotrust.com to learn more.

Contact our Climate Innovation Fund team if you have further questions: cif@albertaecotrust.com or by calling 403-209-2245, or 1-800-465-2147 (outside of Calgary).

Nonprofits, charities, Indigenous organizations, and social housing organizations in Calgary and Edmonton who want to reduce energy use in their buildings in the near term, but may not have the resources to prioritize energy conservation measures are eligible to participate.

Nonprofits, charities and social housing organizations that participate will get a carbon capture and storage unit (CARBiN-X unit) installed. There are no upfront costs for organizations to participate so that they can be part of an innovative project, help the environment and save money on their utility bills. In turn, we will be able to study the energy savings and operations of the technology.

By participating in this program, you will achieve emissions reductions, lower costs and improve building performance. 

The technology is called CARBiN-X and it is installed as an accessory to natural gas-fired boilers. The CARBiN-X removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the exhaust and converts it into pearl ash, a stable compound that accumulates in the unit. 

CleanO2 collects and uses this pearl ash to make soap. The CARBiN-X unit also captures and reuses heat to reduce the amount of natural gas needed to heat water for the building.

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, with support from Cenovus, has partnered with CleanO2, to launch the Carbon Capture for Nonprofits pilot project.

Carbon Capture for Nonprofits

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The Carbon Capture for Nonprofits Pilot Program

The CarbinX™ Solution

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About the Climate Innovation Fund