Clean Battery Innovation Projects

The Provincial Government of British Columbia has pledged a $2 million investment to establish a new Battery Innovation Centre (BIC) at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus (UBCO). This initiative aims to propel British Columbia to the forefront of battery technology and clean energy innovation. As described by Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, the project will play a critical role in advancing technology in areas such as battery recycling, metal processing, and critical mineral mining. The BIC is expected to drive economic growth by creating high-quality jobs and fostering industry partnerships.

The new facility will be the first of its kind in Western Canada, providing a hub for testing and scaling up next-generation battery technologies. The centre will support regional economic development, including initiatives in the Kootenays for battery recycling and metal processing, in the Lower Mainland for battery manufacturing, and across the province for critical mineral mining. By leveraging local materials such as sulphur from mining and oil refineries and tellurium from smelting wastes, the project aligns with a "circular battery economy" model that aims to reduce reliance on overseas critical minerals. This investment by the provincial government underscores its commitment to CleanBC's electrification goals and the broader vision for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Image Credit: University of British Columbia