Introduction

To break into the North American market, ClimateDoor partnered with BeFC to introduce their compostable, biofuel-cell-powered soil sensors, aligning with Canada’s sustainable agriculture initiatives and addressing the need for environmentally friendly soil monitoring solutions.

Goal/Opportunity

To demonstrate the value of BeFC’s compostable sensors in the Canadian agriculture sector, targeting resource optimization and waste reduction in soil monitoring practices.

Challenge

BeFC needed to adapt its technology for the Canadian market and secure partnerships that could validate their technology’s effectiveness in local agricultural conditions. Additionally, BeFC required support to secure funding for scaling operations within North America.

Solution

1. Pilot and Partnerships: Secured partnerships with ReFeed and Elephant Island Winery for initial testing, focusing on soil moisture and nutrient monitoring.
2. Funding Pathways: Identified the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) program and other grants to support long-term project development.
3. Sustainability Metrics: Designed metrics to assess soil health improvements and environmental benefits, such as compostable battery use and water efficiency.

Execution and Metrics

• Pilot Sites: 3 vineyard sites in British Columbia
• Funding Pathways: ACT program and BC Agritech Grant identified
• Waste Reduction: Over 90% reduction in disposable battery waste

Results

• Project Potential: $1.5M in R&D and pilot funding opportunities
• Environmental Impact: Compostable batteries eliminated 90% of traditional battery waste
• Soil Health: Improved resource efficiency, enabling targeted irrigation and fertilization

Conclusion

ClimateDoor’s support enabled BeFC to successfully demonstrate their compostable sensor technology in Canada, advancing BeFC’s market reach while addressing environmental and operational challenges in sustainable agriculture.