Federal investment supports innovation in Alberta’s electricity grid

NAIT investment 400

May 3, 2019

 

 

Canada’s future prosperity goes hand-in-hand with a sustainable and clean environment. A clean economy creates growth and well-paying jobs, while preserving Canada’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Today, Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced $1,889,500 in funding towards Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)’s new Centre for Grid Innovation (CGI). This new facility will promote innovation and growth in Alberta’s clean technology sector by helping companies develop, test, and demonstrate innovative power generation technologies. 

Through this investment, the CGI, which will be located at NAIT’s Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC), will help companies explore innovative power generation technologies and move them to market by providing a ‘plug and play’ microgrid to develop, test and demonstrate new grid technology and renewable energy prototypes. The facility will also help foster partnerships between businesses, utilities providers and vendors.

Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan aims to build an economy in which Canadians have access to high-quality jobs and Canadian businesses are well-placed to participate in a rapidly evolving and competitive global marketplace.

Navdeep Bains explained the investment will encourage innovation from small businesses, “Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy,” he said, “[This] investment in NAIT’s Centre for Grid Innovation builds on our competitive advantages and will result in small businesses testing new grid technologies and bringing them to market, boosting economic growth and creating good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.” 

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Take the Lesson

    Take the Lesson

    September 2, 2024 By Keith Sones, seasoned utility industry executive “I really don’t want to do this.” “You have to Keith. You have no choice. You can’t leave him hanging” replied my wife. I stared at the phone like a child looks at liver on their plate. They know you have to eat it but also… Read More…

  • Quebec Drives the Growth in Residential Building Construction in June, 2024

    Quebec Drives the Growth in Residential Building Construction in June, 2024

    Investment in building construction grew 2.8% to $21.4 billion in June, after a slight increase of 0.8% in May. These increases partly reflect April’s record high of $13.4 billion in total building permits value, since investment levels for a given period are driven by permits issued in prior months. The June increase in investment in building construction was primarily… Read More…

  • Western Memorial Regional Hospital Sets New Infrastructure Precedent and Receives LEED Silver Certification 

    Western Memorial Regional Hospital Sets New Infrastructure Precedent and Receives LEED Silver Certification 

    August 16, 2024 The new Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook is home to Canada’s largest geothermal system, which has set a precedent for modern infrastructure for both Newfoundland and Labrador and North America. The geothermal field is approximately 600 feet below the hospital’s parking lot, and provides 100 per cent of the ground… Read More…

  • Brightening Communities: LED Technology in Action

    Brightening Communities: LED Technology in Action

    August 15, 2024 By Alex Price, Brand & Planning Manager, Current LightingTechnical Contributor: Gary Steinberg, Senior System Manager (Outdoor LED Fixtures), Current Lighting As the landscape of Canadian cities continues to evolve, the importance of outdoor lighting cannot be overstated. From enhancing public safety to promoting economic activity and fostering a sense of community, well-planned… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Schneider Electric Launches SMART Buildings Division to Drive Sustainable Building Innovation in Canada

    Schneider Electric Launches SMART Buildings Division to Drive Sustainable Building Innovation in Canada

    Schneider Electric is transforming its Digital Buildings business in Canada with the launch of the SMART Buildings Division. This evolution marks a strategic move to deliver comprehensive solutions and services that support building owners and operators in achieving their decarbonization and sustainability goals. The demand for smart buildings is surging, driven by a global shift… Read More…

  • Introducing Alan Bearden as Interim President of Southwire Canada

    Introducing Alan Bearden as Interim President of Southwire Canada

    September 4, 2024 Southwire Canada is pleased to announce that Alan Bearden has been appointed Interim President. In this role, Alan will provide leadership and guidance for Southwire’s Canada-based organization, ensuring continuity and driving growth during this transitional period. Alan Bearden brings a wealth of experience to the position, having joined Southwire in 2008. Over… Read More…

  • A Partnership Between Electromag Graybar Canada and Phoenix Contact

    A Partnership Between Electromag Graybar Canada and Phoenix Contact

    September 3, 2024 Electromag Graybar Canada, a pioneer in industrial automation solutions and pneumatic products, is excited to announce a partnership with Phoenix Contact, a global leader in electrification, networking, and industrial automation. This collaboration, which initially began in the Langley and Ontario branches, is now expanding to Quebec. The alliance aims to provide cutting-edge… Read More…

  • Sonepar Announces the Retirement of William (Bill) C. Smith, Electrozad Director of Transitional Business

    Sonepar Announces the Retirement of William (Bill) C. Smith, Electrozad Director of Transitional Business

    September 2, 2024 William (Bill) C. Smith, Director, Transitional Business of Electrozad Supply Company Limited announced his retirement as of August 30th, 2024 after 49 years of leadership. Bill began his electrical career working part-time at Electrozad Supply while completing a Sales & Marketing Program at St. Clair College.  After his first full-time position in… Read More…