The International Minerals innovation Institute’s Alternative Energy Systems Challenge now has two finalists in a competition to find new technology in mining.

Executive Director Al Shpyth says Anax Power of New Jersey and Growing Greener Innovations based out of Edmonton have been chosen to share a $500,000 prize in the Alternative Energy Systems Challenge final. He says what set these two apart from 10 other applicants is promising technology that could work from an energy prospective and an economic one. Especially when the goal of the challenge is to meet energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A lot of alternative energy technology in the innovation space, Shpyth says, has potential but hasn’t been deployed yet due to the economic side. This challenge he adds they are trying to marry the two and still allow technology to be competitive in global markets.

Anax Power utilizes a turboexpander that provides clean, distributed electricity from the pressure and flow of natural gas, without combustion. While Growing Greener focuses on battery management systems and battery energy storage solutions.

Shpyth says the two finalists will be put through their paces, and by the end of the year the winner will potentially move to a field trial with a new piece of technology that will help the minerals industry reduce greenhouse gases while still continuing to be competitive.