Application Eligibility
The Blue BC Challenge is open to all North American technology, solution and service providers who can solve one or more of the identified challenge focus areas. This includes emerging start-ups, established companies, innovators and research institutions. Applicants are not required to be based in British Columbia but proposed projects must be piloted, demonstrated, or implemented by vessels sailing within British Columbia waters, or their immediate supporting infrastructure.
Collaboration between multiple entities is eligible and encouraged for this opportunity, particularly where a provider offers a technology component for a challenge and not an end-to-end solution. Where feasible and where synergies are identified, VMCC may connect applicants to encourage collaboration and enable an end-to-end solution.
Operation Flagship is seeking innovative solutions to help reduce GHG and CAC emissions to secure British Columbia’s success in a lower-carbon economy. Operation Flagship consists of two streams:
“Domestic Flagship” projects are dedicated to the local captive fleet, ports and supporting infrastructure within the Greater Vancouver and British Columbia region;
“Deep Sea Flagship” projects are for international ships who transit through the local waters for trading purposes, but do not call our waters home.
The first three focus areas outlined below target the “Domestic Flagship” stream while the 4th one targets the “Deep Sea Flagship” stream; the 5th focus area applies to both streams.
1. End-to-End Electric Power: Vessel owners are looking for end-to-end solutions which could provide either a full or partial electrification of their operations. The solution proposed will allow the vessel to operate on electric power for:
a. Departures and arrivals/landings (minimum) or full propulsion (desired).
b. All onboard activities requiring energy.
c. Time-sensitive recharge at each end of the travel with a standardized design connection to meet operational needs.
Hybrid solutions with existing engines and fuel sources are welcome. The solutions covered under this challenge area include, but are not limited to: energy storage (including modular storage) for vessels, shipboard electrification technologies and onshore charging/power infrastructure.
2. End-to-End Low-Carbon Intensity Alternative or Renewable Fuels: Vessel owners are looking for solutions which offer lower carbon intensity or renewable fuels. The overall solution should address:
a. Provision of a new propulsion system or engine retrofit (if needed).
b. Supply of fuel within BC maritime operations (either onboard, bunkering or jetty).
Solutions covered under this challenge area include, but are not limited to: Sustainable fuels (green methanol, green ammonia, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.), energy delivery as a service, alternative fuel port and bunkering infrastructure, shipboard machinery and competence development/operating practices.
3. Port-Based Efficiencies: Solutions included in this focus area deliver optimization of energy use and improved energy efficiency with respect to anchorage of vessels at ports within or serving BC. Examples include optimization of vessel replenishment and dispatching within the port and provision of an alternate source of power while anchored. Solutions which can be tested and deployed in more than one port are encouraged. This challenge area covers general port operational efficiencies and decarbonization, including harbour operation and scheduling efficiencies, operational automation and digitalization, data analytics, zero-emission port operations – including the electrification of port vehicle fleets and haul trucks.
4. Deep Sea Shipping Energy Consumption: Solutions included in this focus area develop products or processes that address the high energy consumption required by international long-haul ships. Solutions proposed may contain one or a series of technologies which would yield a reduction of fuel consumption and/or GHG and/or CAC emissions. Areas of interest include hull and propulsion, machinery and consumers and vessel operation efficiency and digitalization.
5. Other - General Performance Improvements: Solutions included in this focus area are products or processes which can be implemented on the asset and/or by the asset owner which provide tangible improvements in the performance of the vessels or deliver energy efficiencies; yielding a reduction of GHG and/or CAC emissions. Areas of interest include automatic mooring system technologies and emissions abatement (i.e., capture and treat) technologies.
Significant opportunities exist in each area and at the intersections between them. VMCC is inviting applicants with a solution – either a complete end-to-end solution or a component of a solution – that addresses one or more of the identified focus areas to apply.
The Blue BC Challenge is targeting technologies, processes and solutions that involve advancing transformative innovation for the maritime sector operating in British Columbia. All proposed solutions must be capable of being tested and deployed in British Columbia and operate within current infrastructure and supply chains. Solutions must be technology readiness level (TRL) 6 or higher to apply. Operation Flagship is targeting solutions that could develop into projects at the stages of field piloting, commercial demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial implementation, as described below.
Pilot: At this stage the technology or innovation is ready to be tested in an operational environment. Projects in this category include scale up of prototypes to representative pilot scale and subsequent in-field testing of pilot units.
Commercial Demonstration: At this stage of development, the technology or innovation is approaching the final commercial product and representative systems have been built. Projects in this category include demonstration of near- or fully-commercial scale systems in an operational environment.
First-of-Kind Commercial Implementation: At this stage, the technology is ready for first-of-kind commercial deployment. Projects in this category will involve design, construction, and operation of the technology in its final commercial form, with the intent to operate the technology for its full commercial life.
Blue BC Challenge Application
For further details about the Blue BC Challenge, please review the detailed Application Guide (PDF). Then, when you’re ready to submit an application, click on Application Form. You must complete the application form to demonstrate interest and be considered to participate in this challenge.
Blue BC Informational Webinar
For those who could not attend the May 4th Blue BC Challenge Call Informational Webinar, please find a link to the recorded session below.
Access Password: VMCC_Delphi2022
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Ce projet a été réalisé avec l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada agissant par l'entremise du ministère fédéral de l'Environnement et du Changement climatique.