TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–e-Zinc, the company enabling sustainable, long-duration energy storage with its zinc-air battery, announced today that its CEO James Larsen was named one of Canada’s 2023 Clean50 in the research and development category. Larsen was selected from a pool of over 1,000 qualified nominees for his leadership at e-Zinc, which is helping create a radical shift in clean energy storage technology and allowing the cost-effective storage of sustainably sourced energy in zinc.

Each year since 2011, Canada’s Clean50 Awards are announced by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization to recognize 50 individuals or small teams from 16 different categories, who have done the most to advance sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years. Larsen and this year’s other honorees were chosen for their measurable accomplishments, demonstrated innovation, collaboration with other organizations, and the power of their contributions to inspire other Canadians to take similar action.

“I’m proud to be recognized as one of the 2023 Clean50 based on the progress the rest of the e-Zinc team and I have made toward our goal of enabling a 100 percent renewable energy future with our clean energy storage systems,” said James Larsen. “It’s an honor to be named a leader in Canadian sustainability and I look forward to working alongside other Clean50 honorees to encourage Canadians to continually, collaboratively, and actively pursue sustainable solutions to the climate and energy challenges we face today.”

Since Larsen became CEO of e-Zinc in 2018, the company has grown quickly from just 6 to ~50 employees and secured ~$43 million in funding. This growth combined with the transformation of e-Zinc’s technology from an early-stage prototype, to now performing at a sufficient level for early market adoption, earned Larsen his spot in the 2023 Clean50. Additionally, technical improvements have enabled e-Zinc to deploy its first in-field system at a customer site, and a new 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility will allow the company to deliver its next projects with customers Toyota Tsusho and the California Energy Commission.

“James Larsen was chosen after rigorous screening and research by Delta Management, with advice from internal researchers and external advisors,” said Gavin Pitchford, CEO at Delta Management Group. “The process to narrow down to just 50 honorees this year was extremely difficult for reviewers as we had a record number of nominees. The great news is that there are many wonderful and committed leaders in organizations across Canada, working in many different fields, who are concerned about the course of Canada’s future if we don’t all take action quickly. The individuals we chose for the Clean50 this year are true leaders, and should be an inspiration for all Canadians.”