TechnoCentre éolien Receives $4.6M for Research On Renewable Energy Integration

September 9, 2016

Funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Quebec Government will support the TechnoCentre éolien’s research program on the intelligent integration of renewable energy and storage technologies in microgrids for five years (2016-2021).

The TechnoCentre éolien (TCE) is affiliated with the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles (CGÎ). In addition to the TCE and the Cégep, this program will include two other research centres and 15 businesses in Quebec, Ontario and the Yukon. Participating businesses will also be helping to finance this program in the context of various research projects.

“The primary objective of this program is to assist businesses in developing new solutions to reduce energy costs and curb greenhouse gases,” says Frédéric Côté, General Manager of the TechnoCentre éolien.

Microgrids vary greatly in size and form: they may be remote communities, mines in the Canadian Arctic, or buildings such as hospitals. “This project is consistent with the priorities set out in Quebec’s energy policy as well as Canada’s orientations with regard to energy consumption. It will also allow our companies to stand out on an international level,” continues Côté.

The program will also have direct economic benefits for the industry as well as college- and university-level education. A team of top researchers will be made available to participating enterprises, notably to facilitate the training and development of specialized engineers and technicians.