July 9, 2007 - Trident and Menova Leading the Way in Turning CO2 Into an Economic Opportunity
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - July 9, 2007) - Trident Exploration Corp. ("Trident") and Menova Energy Inc. ("Menova") are pleased to announce they have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a corporation (the "Company") that will be part of a consortium (the "Consortium") to recycle CO2 emissions into biomass. The Company intends to utilize existing light capture technologies developed by Menova along with Trident's waste stream gas capture initiatives, to capture greenhouse gases ("GHGs") from the processing of petroleum products in order to be recycled into biomass for economic use. The Consortium will be made up of experts, who will work with the Company to refine and develop the technology.
Murray Rodgers, President and CEO of Trident stated "After one year of research and discussion on innovations to reduce our CO2 emissions, we were pleased to find a Canadian partner who has the demonstrated technology to help us pursue both an economically and environmentally innovative alternative to sequestration".
On March 21st, 2007 the Province of Alberta announced its intention to research the commercialization of algae cultivation and its effect on the reduction of CO2 emissions. The Company's proposed project will be one of the first pilot projects in Canada to explore the commercial feasibility of this mandate.
Academic studies and pilot projects in the United States and Europe have demonstrated that CO2 can be used as a catalyst for the cultivation of algae biomass which can be economically converted into biofuels and other high value co-products. Based on these studies, Trident and Menova expect their light capture technologies to reduce the net carbon impact of petroleum processing by an estimated 50% or greater, while at the same time, creating biomass for alternative fuel production.
Trident and Menova began discussions in 2006, which led to the development of a solar based Photo BioReactor. Commercialization of the Photo BioReactor for GHG reduction have been pursued by others, but to date, none have been adapted for year-round continuous operations in all climates. Trident and Menova believe their patented technology will address these present limitations thereby permitting an increase in the cumulative GHG emissions that can be captured and recycled year round within Canada. "We are confident that our technology provides a proven, inexpensive and scalable solution to reduce downstream CO2 emissions that can be deployed at most commercial sites around the globe" stated Dave Gerwing, President of Menova. The pilot project for the Photo BioReactor will begin shortly, with commercialization expected to occur within three years.
The Consortium will include academics, scientists and business leaders with the intent to establish an Advisory Committee by 2008. Recently, additions to the Consortium include: Dr. Abimbola Abiola, Olds College School of Innovation-Biofuel and Technology Centre; Dr. James Craigie, National Research Council of Canada-Marine Bio-Science Instititute and Dr. Martin Reaney from the University of Saskatchewan.
Ed Whittingham from the Pembina Institute supports the development of these concepts and stated, "The Consortium provides for a unique opportunity to further research a carbon emissions reduction technology that could be both environmentally and economically sound. Pembina is always interested in exploring viable and economic alternatives to carbon sequestration that provide unique, 'made-in-Canada' solutions to rising greenhouse gas emissions."
Trident is a natural gas exploration and development company, principally focused on natural gas from coal, also known as coal-bed methane, from resource plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Our principal properties are located in Alberta. We also explore for other unconventional natural gas resources plays, including tight gas and shale gas. More information on the company can be found at www.tridentexploration.ca.
Menova Energy Inc. is a 100% Canadian owned and operated company committed to providing affordable solar energy solutions for the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) market. More information on the company can be found at www.power-spar.com/Power-Spar/index.php.
For more information, please contact
Trident Exploration Corp.
Paul K. O'Donoghue
VP Corporate and Strategic Development
(403) 770-2686
or
Trident Exploration Corp.
Brad Robertson
Manager, Investor Relations
(403) 770-3153
Website: www.tridentexploration.ca
or
Menova Energy Inc.
Dave Gerwing
President
(613) 599-6232 ext. 222
Website: www.power-spar.com/Power-Spar/index.php
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