Powering Canada’s Energy Future Through Innovation
APPLICATION NOW CLOSED
The Energy Innovation Challenge (EIC) is a program led by Decentralised Energy Canada (DEC) in partnership with the City of Medicine Hat, aimed at accelerating Alberta’s energy transition through innovative decentralised energy solutions. Open to startups and established companies across Canada, the EIC invites applicants to propose technologies that improve grid resilience, reduce emissions, and enhance energy affordability. Selected solutions will be piloted in Medicine Hat, with access to funding, municipal support, and investor networks—positioning participants at the forefront of Canada’s clean energy future.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Three New Innovators Awarded in Second Intake
September 4, 2025
Medicine Hat – The City of Medicine Hat and Decentralised Energy Canada have selected Take Energy Inc., Aqua-Cell Energy Inc., and Eguana Technologies as the final award recipients in the Energy Innovation Challenge. They join Arcus Power and Edgecom Energy, whose projects are already underway. Read Press Release
We’ve been busy
The EIC is implementing innovative solutions that demonstrate the value and benefits of decentralised energy, including:
Grid Reliability
Grid Resiliency
Energy Affordability
Sustainability
Watch our video to learn more about Decentralised Energy.
Challenge Timeline
Program Activities
INNOVATION
CHALLENGE
COMMUNITY
PROJECTS
INVESTMENTS
CHALLENGE
WINNERS
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ARCUS POWER
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EDGECOM ENERGY
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AQUA-CELL ENERGY
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TAKENERGY
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EGUANA
FAQs
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There are multiple funding partners for this program. The total available project funding is $1 million. The entire EIC program, which has three phases, has received $2.4 million in funding. The City of Medicine Hat is providing a specific amount of the $2.4 million. The $1 million project funding will be split between the successful projects (up to six).
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Up to six projects will receive funding. This means that project funding will be divided between a maximum of six projects.
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Yes, you may submit multiple applications. There are no restrictions on the number of applications that a single proponent can submit; however, we encourage you to submit only your best and most complete project applications.
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Yes, one project may cover multiple challenge statements. Applicants are invited to submit solutions that address one or more of the EIC challenge statements. Fit with challenge statement(s) is a scoring criterion for the program.
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There is no maximum project value. Intake 1 was up to $250k and intake 2 was up to $500k.
Funding requests from the EIC should not represent more than 50% of the total required project budget. The applicant will self-fund the remaining project costs, or through additional funding programs, or partnering organisations outside the EIC program and its funding partners. Applicants should ensure that their funding requests are reasonable and proportionate to the overall funding available and the scope of their project.
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The lead applicant (i.e., solution provider) must be a Canadian company. The program targets small and medium businesses that need support to overcome existing commercialisation barriers and bring their innovations/solutions to the market. Applicants will be thoroughly vetted before being awarded funding. If a specific product or service needed to complete the project is unavailable in Canada, it may be purchased from a foreign vendor.
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No, it is unnecessary to identify a specific test site location for the application. However, it is to the Applicant's benefit to research the distribution network design and layout of the City of Medicine Hat and suggest specific sites to enhance the application's quality.
