Protecting Our Environment

Producing Cleaner Fuels and Green Products

The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre in Sarnia Ontario is creating North America’s first biotechnology laboratories and shared pilot plant facilities for gasification, pyrolysis, fermentation and bio-conversion – key technologies involved in converting agricultural and forestry by-products into green fuels, chemicals, products and materials. Anticipated benefits include up to 1,000 new jobs in research and engineering and $1 billion in new bio-based investments to Canada by 2014.

Development Begins on a New Generation of “Green” Planes

Led by Canada’s major aerospace companies, the Green Aviation Research and Development Network is collaborating with researchers from academia, government and the private sector to develop lighter materials, alternative fuels and quieter engines for a new generation of greener airplanes. Founded in 2009, GARDN has already approved funding for nine projects, which are led by Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bombardier Aerospace and CMC Electronics.

Turning Green Energy into a New Engine of Economic Growth

Major companies such as Rio Tinto Alcan, Hydro-Québec, Dupont, Ericsson and Siemens have partnered with the new Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency (C3E) in Shawinigan, Quebec. The centre is commercializing technologies that reduce the amount of energy used in buildings, industrial processes, communications technology, bio-industries and transportation. The C3E plans to implement 100 to 140 energy technology projects and partake in the development of another 50 business services projects, for an estimated total value of $50 million over five years.

Modelling Climate Change – Faster and in Greater Detail

The next report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, due in 2013, will feature a new and improved contribution from Canada. Researchers from MITACS, in partnership with Environment Canada, have developed a new computer program that provides climate simulations faster and in greater detail, allowing a better understanding of processes at a global and regional level. The advances will enable experts to better analyze trends in weather patterns and determine their effect on features such as permafrost, coastal erosion and water levels in dams.