The energy innovation network: Fueling an integrated energy future

The convergence of increasing concern about energy supply and increasing public commitment to environmental protection provides an opportunity to mobilize public and private investment in energy innovation. To tap the vast Canadian resource potential, innovative new technologies are required-to unlock the large remaining conventional oil and gas reserves, take advantage of the hundreds of years of remaining production of bitumen, coal, and coal bed methane, and ensure increasing supply from renewable energy options. As Alberta's energy innovation strategy was developed, recognition grew that solutions to the pressing challenges described above emerged when we understand the energy industry as one interconnected system, integrated horizontally along the various energy sources and vertically along the value chain. This led to the creation of the Energy Innovation Network (EnergyINet) as the vehicle to facilitate strategic collaboration and innovation among industry, governments (federal and provincial), and the research. community to address the challenges of ensuring an abundant supply of environmentally responsible energy. This Paper describes, as an example, the approach taken in the development of oil sands technologies where a government-industry partnership,was developed to share resources, build expertise, and lower technology risks. This provided the key tools that have lead to the oil sands becoming a significant resource relative to global energy demand. The paper argues that no one single source of energy will be sufficient to meet world or Canadian demand and consequently for the need for a collaborative initiative to facilitate a long-term (20- to 25-year) effort to implement an integrated energy innovation strategy. This integrated approach is built on the premise that strategic investment in a balanced portfolio of energy innovation with a focus. on common technology platforms and points of leverage across the portfolio-has the greatest potential for returns in, economic, environmental, and social terms.