Archive for the ‘National’ Category
Green young minds solving environmental problems – thestar.com
Friday, April 27th, 2012I helped co-ordinate this exhibition, which explains why many of the companies written about in this column – and more – were on display. These included Solar Ship, the hybrid airship-airplane that is powered by solar panels; Pond Biofuels, which grows algae from industrial carbon dioxide emissions; and energy storage companies HydroStor and Temporal Power.
via Green young minds solving environmental problems – thestar.com.
CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 17 April 2012
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:
- Summer changes take their toll on aging populations
- New study discredits skeptic argument, links CO2 to warming
- Forest biomass a problem and opportunity in BC
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 Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.
Authors: Neil Thomson, Calyn Shaw, Neil Salmond, Kristina Welch, Justin Bull
Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)
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Procurement Initiatives Build Cleantech Foundation
Friday, February 17th, 2012As highlighted in previous issues of Spotlight on Cleantech, Canada is poised to become a significant global player in what is projected to be a $3 trillion industry by 2020. If we stay on course over the next eight to ten years, Canada will develop a $60 billion clean technology industry. However, successful industries do not evolve by chance. It takes a coordinated effort between the private and public sectors to create foundation strong enough to sustain a globally competitive industry. To stay on course, small and medium sized companies (SMEs), which make up the majority of the cleantech industry, can benefit from domestic procurement as the springboard for market penetration internationally.
A recent announcement by the federal government exemplifies such a procurement initiative. On Friday, February 3, 2012, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose announced the Government of Canada pre-qualified 36 innovations that it may buy and test. These innovations were pre-qualified for procurement as part of the second round of the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP), a $40 million pilot program announced in Budget 2010, and intended to bridge the pre-commercialization gap for technology companies. Pre-qualified companies included four clean tech companies in the first round and seven in the recently announced second round. Demand for this program is proving strong, with successful candidates qualifying against a crowded field of over 300 applicants in both round one and round two.
The Canadian clean technology industry should applaud this pilot program and celebrate this success. This program and others like it will prepare the cleantech industry for long term viability ande support the industry’s contributions (as highlighted in recent Spotlights): direct and indirect employment, R&D spending, export intensity and productivity. The message: we need procurement initiatives like CICP to act as a domestic springboard for international competitiveness.
This cleantech insight was prepared by Analytica Advisors, a trusted boutique consulting firm and thought leader in Canada’s clean technology industry. For more information regarding the 2011 Canadian Clean Technology Industry Report, Analytica Advisors’ comprehensive study of the industry’s revenue and employment profiles covering its nine major sectors, or to view previous issues of Spotlight on Cleantech, visit www.analytica-advisors.com
The case for biofuels in our energy mix
Saturday, February 4th, 2012Fossil fuels are an integral part of the global economy, and will be for many years. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to introduce alternatives into Canada’s energy mix or explore new, innovative fuel sources. One of the greatest hurdles we have to overcome isn’t technological or structural – it’s debunking myths and misperceptions about renewable fuels that prevent us as a society from seeing the benefits clearly.
Canadian Clean Technology Companies Pre-Qualify for Second Round of Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program
Friday, February 3rd, 2012The 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…)
Spotlight on Cleantech
Monday, January 16th, 2012R& 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…)
Excellent Year for Canadian Wind in 2011, Looking to Move Forward in 2012
Monday, January 16th, 2012Excellent Year for Canadian Wind in 2011, Looking to Move Forward in 2012
Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/15fBR)
Wind energy in Canada had a very solid year in 2011, with gains seen in total production and investment, advancing the potential of Canadian wind energy. With 2012 under way, how will Canada’s wind energy players do in a challenging business and economic environment, given that fossil fuels continued to be favoured over renewable energy? Let’s take a look at last year in a little more detail and gander through the crystal ball at what 2012 will possibly hold for Canadian wind.
Read the Full Article: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/15fBR)
Posted by: Big Picture CommunicationTransCanada enters into solar generation
Monday, December 26th, 2011Calgary, has agreed to purchase nine Ontario solar projects from Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., with a combined capacity of 86 megawatts (MW), for approximately $470-million. All nine projects have 20-year power purchase agreements with the Ontario Power Authority.
Spotlight on Cleantech
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011Mature Beyond Its Years. And Still Growing!
Canada’s relatively young clean technology industry currently contributes 44,40
0 jobs to the Canadian economy. How does employment in this ‘kiddie’ industry compare to older, more ‘mature’ industries? Consider this – direct employment in the clean technology industry is only 18% below mining and 16% less than the oil & gas extraction industries, and is 36% greater than direct employment in the forestry & logging industry. For the 2008 to 2010 period, employment in the clean technology industry grew at an average 8% compounded annual growth rate – exceptionally strong results in the face of global recessionary headwinds. Fast growth sectors within the clean technology industry averaged an 11% increase in employment for 2008 to 2010. If all clean technology sectors were to achieve that 11% growth, the employment potential for the industry is (more…)
Mass to electrons…
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011Canadians consume the equivalent energy of nearly 50 tons of coal per household per year. That in turn is equivalent to a 5 kg package of coal being delivered to every household every hour of the year. Luckily, the majority of the energy consumed in Canada is not derived from coal, and a very significant portion of the energy consumed in Canada is transported in the form of a massless entity, known as electricity, most of which is derived from hydropower. Chemistry Nobel Laureate Richard Smalley (1941-2005) had a vision (with a plan) back in 2003, namely that all of the world’s energy should be distributed as electricity by 2050, if we are to avoid the impending hardships that an indefinite dependence on transportation and combustion of neutron-containing (i.e. having mass, such as coal, oil, natural gas, etc.) fuels likely will bring. Some of the means by which Smalley’s vision is (slowly) and perhaps indirectly being approached are amongst the interesting discussion topics at this site, and we can only hope that one day the world consequently is cleaner…
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Marketwire – Alternative Energy
- BacTech Begins Tailing Sampling at Telamayu, Bolivia May 17, 2012
- W2 Energy Completes Purchase of British Columbia-Based Agri-Green Biodiesel Inc. May 17, 2012
- Lumenpulse Receives U.S. Patent on Technology That Converts Analog to Digital Signals Allowing Lighting Control Over AC Power Lines May 17, 2012
- WEPOWER Ecolutions Presents Orion Lighting Solutions at 2012 RECon, Las Vegas May 17, 2012
- World Mobile Holdings Inc. Approved for OTC Listing May 17, 2012
- Ceradyne Board Approves Regular Quarterly Dividend May 17, 2012
- ILG Energy Helps Clients Maneuver New Fracking Guidelines May 17, 2012
- Vectren CEO Says Natural Gas Prices Good News for Customers, Electric Environmental Investments Paying Off; Mays Retires From Vectren Board May 16, 2012
- Unusual Market Activity in Venoco, Inc. Common Stock May 16, 2012
- QSolar Limited Provides Update on Delay in Filing of Audited Financial Statements Pursuant to Management Cease Trade Order Granted May 16, 2012
Globe Newswire
- Velti CEO Alex Moukas to Present at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference May 17, 2012SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velti plc (Nasdaq:VELT), the leading global provider of mobile marketing and advertising technology and solutions, today announced that Alex Moukas, Chief Executive Officer and Wilson W. Cheung, Chief Financial Officer will present at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference, to b […]
- Washington Gold's Chief Operating Officer Elected President of Recreational Gaming Association May 17, 2012HOUSTON, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE Amex:UWN) announced today that Victor Mena, Chief Operating Officer of Washington Gold, owned and operated by Nevada Gold, has been elected President of the State of Washington's Recreational Gaming Association ("RGA"). […]
- SSP America Awarded Major Food and Beverage Contract at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport May 17, 2012LANSDOWNE, Va., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SSP America, the North American division of SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide is proud to announce today its 10 year, $800 million contract with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport that will bring the diverse culinary arts of Phoenix's most celebrated […]
- Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman's Charlottesville Campuses Host USO Stuffing Party May 17, 2012CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 10,000 deploying service members will receive "care packages" from the USO thanks to a stuffing party held recently by 130 employees from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC). […]
- BIDZ.com, Inc. Signs Going Private Merger Agreement May 17, 2012CULVER CITY, Calif., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIDZ.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIDZ), a leading online retailer of jewelry, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Glendon Group, Inc. ("Glendon Group") to be acquired for $0.78 per share in cash. This per share price represents a premium of 59.2% over the Company […]
- Nanophase Announces Plans for Rights Offering to Stockholders May 17, 2012ROMEOVILLE, Ill., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nanophase Technologies Corporation (OTCQB:NANX), a technology leader in nanomaterials and advanced nanoengineered products, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a rights offering to existing holders of its […]
- Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation Announces Cash Dividend May 17, 2012NAUGATUCK, Conn., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:NVSL) declared a cash dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, of $.03 per share to stockholders of record on May 28, 2012. Payment of the cash dividend will be made on or about June 15, 2012. […]
- Mercury Computer Systems Awarded Contract to Deliver Rugged, High Density Solid State Data Recorder for Airborne ISR Applications May 17, 2012CHELMSFORD, Mass., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCY) (www.mc.com), a trusted provider of commercially developed application-ready ISR and EW subsystems for defense prime contractors, announced that it has received a contract from a leading defense prime contractor to provide an advanced solid state data recorder fo […]
- OKI Data Americas to Demonstrate Cloud-Based Total Managed Print(TM) Portal, Serve as Platinum Sponsor of Photizo Group Transform 2012 Global Conference May 17, 2012MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKI Data Americas announces its sponsorship of the Transform 2012 Global Conference, hosted by the Photizo Group, taking place May 24-25, 2012 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL. There, OKI will demonstrate the company's proprietary, cloud-based Managed Print Services (MPS) offering, Total Mana […]
- Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. to Present at Investor Conferences May 17, 2012COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:BBRG), owner and operator of the BRAVO! Cucina Italiana (BRAVO!) and BRIO Tuscan Grille (BRIO) restaurant concepts, today announced that the Company will be presenting at the following conferences. […]