FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMII Announces Inaugural $500,000 Innovation Challenge
September 25, 2020
Saskatoon, SK (Canada) – The Board of Directors of the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) yesterday approved the organization’s first innovation challenge – the Alternative Energy Systems Innovation Challenge.
This is a global call for collaboration in advancing technologies that can be put into use by Saskatchewan’s potash and/or uranium sectors. Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of potash, and second largest of uranium. Five finalists will be shortlisted from among all applicants. The winner could receive up to $500,000 to build and test a prototype of their technology at IMII’s member operations.
IMII will promote the five finalists selected to participate in the Challenge and, if the technology developed by the winner is successfully piloted in an industrial setting, IMII will assist in its commercialization.
“Developing and adopting low-carbon and resilient technology is a key component of any meaningful plan to address the challenges represented by climate change,” says Al Shpyth, IMII’s Executive Director. “Innovation challenges have proven to connect technology development with technology adoption. IMII’s Alternative Energy Systems Innovation Challenge will help to progress technologies that support emissions reductions and lower industry fuel and electricity costs while maintaining the province’s energy resiliency.”
As part of the Alternative Energy Systems Innovation Challenge, IMII is inviting other innovation supporting networks to join us in rolling out the Challenge and supporting entrepreneurs, technology developers and businesses in responding to the Challenge – which is expected to formally open on October 6, 2020.
Get ready to #innovate! Follow @iminerals and watch for our #AlternativeEnergySystemsChallenge page for more information on our process and timeline and to get started.
For more information:
Al Shpyth, Executive Director, IMII
Phone: (306) 668-2057
PDF version of the news release
About IMII:
International Minerals Innovation Institute is a unique innovation supporting network of mining companies, government departments and agencies, and post-secondary and research institutions, jointly funded by industry and government. It exists to deliver innovations that matter to mining in Saskatchewan.
