Archive for the ‘Clean power’ Category

Canadian Clean Technology Companies Pre-Qualify for Second Round of Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The Canadian Clean Technology Coalition views the February 3rd announcement by the Government of Canada of successful applicants for second round pre-qualification in the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) as a clear and positive indication of the growth and innovation demonstrated by the clean technology sector.

Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose announced 36 innovations that the federal government may buy and test as part of the second round of the CICP. The latest selections include several applicants from the clean technology sector, as was also the case in the first round announced in March of 2011. (more…)

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 31 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • NASA visualizes how temperatures have increased in the last 131 years
  • Climate policy: oil’s tipping point has past
  • Clean up world seas to boost economy, UN body says

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

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Can solar power help shipping go green?

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Electricity created by the solar panels and stored in a battery powers the engine while the vessel comes in and out of the harbour. Once out in the open ocean and a faster clip is required, the diesel kicks in. One of the fleet, the Solar Albatross, sports two sails covered in solar panels that can be raised to harness both the sun and the wind to further reduce reliance on fossil fuel.

Here is an interesting take on solar and wind applications for the marine industry.  Hopefully these concepts will work and allow ships to save 25-45% of the fossil fuel used.  Learn more about this concept here. Can solar power help shipping go green?.

GreenTech Exchange breezes into Vancouver Island

Friday, January 27th, 2012

At its formative meeting on Vancouver Island, GreenTech Exchange presented two major island energy projects to a packed audience. Sea Breeze Power introduced a $300 million shovel-ready wind farm at Cape Scott and the $750 million Juan de Fuca Cable that will connect Victoria with Port Townsend using the latest DC transmission technology.

The wind farm will feature 55 Vestas turbines that will generate 99MW. It took ten years to develop and will be the first on the BC coast. “The wind resource on Vancouver Island is one of the most economic in the world”, said Sea Breeze President and CEO, Paul Manson.

The GreenTech Exchange wants to be present on the Island due to its increasing importance as a cleantech showcase with its tidal energy plant in Campbell River, a major solar home upgrade initiative in Colwood, and solar generation in Sooke.

The next Vancouver forum will focus on clean mining technology from Teck Resources. www.greentechexchange

Swiss offers solar technology for Dubai

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Guy Wolfensberger, managing director of Swiss-based Grove Boats, said on Thursday that he would meet RTA officials during the Dubai Boat Show in March and discuss the proposal.

“We have a plan for the RTA to provide solar power technology for the abras. We can provide the technology to replace the diesel engines with the solar power. With the technology, the traditional image and looks of these boats will not be affected. The solar-powered boats will also help protect the Creek’s environment as there will be no diesel discharge and no engine sound,” he told Khaleej Times at the fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES 2012), which ended on Thursday.

The solar boat is making waves in Dubai.  Next place for this solution may be Vancouver.  Read more here about the Swiss solar company in Dubai Swiss offers solar technology for Dubai

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 24 JANUARY 2012

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Tourism relies on jet setters, but travel is destroying attractions
  • NASA says Canada highly vulnerable to environmental change due to global warming
  • EU cap on aviation emissions could boost airline profits

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

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Spotlight on Cleantech

Monday, January 16th, 2012

R& D Spending Supported by Growth of Cleantech Industry

Since peaking in 2007 at $16.7 billion, national business expenditures in R&D have slowly been declining, with the 2010 ‘Business Research & Development’ (BERD) reported at $14.9 billion. Not ideal, yet not surprising given slowing economic growth. However, the R&D expenditure mixture is interesting.

Five industry segments – aerospace, clean technology, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas extraction, and resource manufacturing – represent a third of Canada’s BERD.  However, the oil and gas extraction and resource manufacturing industries’ R&D expenditures have been on a downward trajectory since 2008. So who’s picking up the slack? (more…)

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 10 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Forest management programs may increase forest carbon emissions
  • 2011 is UK’s second warmest year, Met Office confirms
  • Smart meter usage increasing worldwide

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James TanseyTom PedersenJessica Worsley

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Prelude FLNG – are floating energy facilities the next wave?

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Here is an interesting and very large natural gas project that Shell is developing.  A floating facility to generate LNG from a under water gas well.

The floating facility will chill natural gas produced at the field to –162°C, shrinking its volume by 600 times so it can be shipped to customers in other parts of the world. Ocean-going carriers will load the LNG as well as other liquid by-products (condensate and LPG) for delivery to market.

The Prelude FLNG facility will be 488m long, 74m wide and will displace around 600,000 tonnes of water. It will be the largest floating offshore facility in the world.

via Prelude FLNG – an overview.

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 20 December 2011

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • What really happened in Durban – and will it be enough to combat climate change?
  • Ocean acidification may directly harm fish: study
  • California proposes rules to spur clean car growth

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James TanseyJessica Worsley

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