Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 1, 2026) - Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) ("Aegis" or the "Company") today announced significant progress in its advanced nuclear-hybrid energy program, including the submission of a MITACS grant application in partnership with Ontario Tech University and a team of leading researchers. The initiative supports the development of a Digital Twin-enabled energy management and control framework to enable the safe, secure, and resilient operation of SMR/MMR-based hybrid energy systems for Arctic, marine, and high impact infrastructures.

The program builds on Aegis's Power Barge concept developed for the Port of Vancouver and Port of Victoria under the Green Corridor Fund, in collaboration with 3GA Marine, BC Hydro, Seaspan, and both port authorities. This work has evolved into a broader effort aligned with emerging continental defence requirements for resilient, distributed, and rapidly deployable energy systems.

Ontario Tech University faculty members, including Prof. Atkinson, Prof. Gaber, Prof. El-Khatib, Prof. Yang and additional collaborators, are contributing to the program. Their expertise in nuclear-hybrid systems, digital twins, and secure control architectures supports the development of energy systems tailored for Arctic conditions, remote installations, and NORAD-aligned operational environments.

A central component of the program is the potential deployment of floating SMR/MMR-based power platforms at strategic northern locations, including Churchill, Prince Rupert, James Bay, and Arctic ports in Canada and Greenland. These platforms would deliver sovereign, scalable, and rapidly deployable energy infrastructure capable of supporting northern communities, radar and sensor systems, maritime domain awareness, and forward operating locations. This approach strengthens Canada's northern energy independence and enhances resilience across the continental defence network.

The technical program focuses on an integrated nuclear-aware microgrid architecture combining high C-rate battery systems, advanced power electronics, and intelligent EMS/PMS platforms. The system is designed to provide fast dynamic response, frequency stabilization, and transient load management for mission-critical applications. A reactor-aware control layer will coordinate SMR output, battery response, and critical loads in real time-enabling reliable operation in remote and high-demand environments. High C-rate batteries act as a transient and safety buffer, supporting both steady-state and rapid-response scenarios. Commercial deployment is targeted within four years.

To support the company's expanded strategic mandate, Aegis Critical Energy has appointed Dr. Ramtin Rasoulinezhad as Chief Executive Officer and Simon Tso as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Rasoulinezhad will also join the Board of Directors.

Dr. Rasoulinezhad brings extensive experience in the design and deployment of secure, high-reliability energy systems across utilities, oil and gas, and marine sectors. His background includes hybrid power systems, advanced energy storage, SMR-integrated architectures, quantum-enabled cybersecurity, and resilient control systems. He has led technologies from early-stage R&D through qualification and full-scale manufacturing and has been recognized as a Canada's Clean50 Emerging Leader and a Business in Vancouver Forty Under 40 award recipient.

Mr. Tso, appointed Chief Financial Officer, is the principal of Athena Chartered Professional Accountant Ltd., a full-cycle accounting firm supporting private and public companies with financial reporting, regulatory filings, and taxation. He is also co-founder of Zeus Capital Ltd., a boutique corporate finance firm specializing in valuation and advisory services. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) with honours from the UBC Sauder School of Business and is both a CFA charter holder and a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Aegis also acknowledges the contributions of Paul Dickson, who will be departing from his role as Chief Executive Officer to focus on the hydrogen-energy spinout announced in March of 2026.

Equity Incentives

The company has issued 1,550,000 RSUs to members of management and consultants, with milestones tied to the successful advancement of projects being developed by the company. The company has also granted 1,500,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants, aligning long-term incentives with shareholder value creation.

Learn more at www.homelandnuclearenergy.com

About Ontario Tech University


Ontario Tech University is a leading public research institution with strengths in nuclear engineering, energy systems, cyber security, and applied technology - home to Canada's only fully accredited undergraduate nuclear engineering program and the Centre for Small Modular Reactors. For more information visit https://ontariotechu.ca/

About Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) develops and integrates advanced battery energy storage systems for defence, critical infrastructure, industrial, and AI data centre applications. Through strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities and global technology leaders, the company specializes in hybrid nuclear-microgrid architectures, high-reliability power systems, and digital-twin-enabled control platforms supporting Canadian sovereignty, Arctic security, and NORAD operational readiness. Visit https://aegiscriticalenergy.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.'s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

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Source: Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.