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Suntanu Dalal

Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0628

Backgrounders

Post-secondary clean energy research projects receive funding

The projects awarded funding under the PSCEP Program are as follows:

  • Extreme performance battery charger technologies for transportation ($100,000): A collaboration between the University of British Columbia and Delta-Q Technologies of Vancouver to develop the next generation of high-efficiency power converters for electric vehicle battery chargers. Advances in this area will improve the efficiency of electric vehicle chargers and reduce costs, benefitting both electric vehicle owners and the utilities providing the power (NSERC: $100,000, Delta-Q Technologies: $100,000).
  • Vacuum insulation panels with zeolite-fibre composite core ($49,967): A collaboration between the University of Victoria and ZMM Canada Minerals of Peachland, B.C. to develop alternative core materials for use in vacuum insulation panels. The thermal insulating capacity of vacuum insulation panels is five to ten times higher than traditional fibrous or foam insulation, but their mass use in the construction industry is restricted due to the high cost and uncertainty regarding long-term performance. Researchers will explore the use of locally-available zeolite powder in the core materials of vacuum insulation panels to bring the cost of producing the panels down to that comparable with traditional insulation (NSERC: $49,998, ZMM Canada: $31,250).
  • Passive cooling solutions for high-power battery chargers ($96,000): A collaboration between Simon Fraser University and Delta-Q Technologies to develop the next generation of cooling systems for high-power battery chargers. In a battery charger, 10 to 15% of the input power is consumed to cool the device, and the trend to smaller-sized, higher-powered chargers can double the cooling requirements. The proposed solutions will employ emerging materials and more efficient technologies to eliminate the use of input power to cool chargers and significantly reduce the battery industry’s carbon footprint (NSERC: $128,000, Delta-Q Technologies: $80,000).
  • Creating the pathway for standardized performance assessment of Canadian wave-energy converters ($96,000): A collaboration between the University of Victoria and Accumulated Ocean Energy of Sooke, B.C. to precisely define the energy potential, benefits and challenges of coastal wave power. The west coast of British Columbia has significant wave power with the potential to establish a marine power sector in B.C. that can serve growing global demand for clean-energy technology, however to date there is no consensus on the design or operation of wave-energy converters to turn wave power into electricity that could be fed into the grid, and it is unclear to what extent wave energy can be harnessed. Researchers will refine data assessment techniques and simulation hardware developed at the University of Victoria to provide an accurate assessment of the energy potential of coastal waves (NSERC: $100,000, Accumulated Ocean Energy: $62,500).

NSERC offers grant programs that build research relationships between post-secondary institutions and Canadian companies and help advance research and development in many sectors and disciplines relating to science and technology.

The ICE Fund is designed to support government’s energy and environmental priorities and advance British Columbia’s clean energy sector. It receives funding through a 0.4% levy on the final sale of specified energy products – natural gas, fuel oil and grid-delivered propane. Since 2008, the ICE Fund has provided approximately $77 million to support pre-commercial clean energy technology projects, clean energy vehicles, research and development, and various energy efficiency programs.

The #BCTECH Strategy is a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to support the growth of B.C.’s vibrant technology sector and strengthen British Columbia’s diverse innovation economy. The multi-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund and initiatives to increase talent development and market access for tech companies that will drive innovation and productivity throughout the province.