Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Canada-Israel energy S&T program launched

The Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (CIIRDF) has issued the first call under its Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund — for industry-led projects which may involve academic partners from both countries. The projects are funded on the Canadian side by Natural Resources Canada, which is investing $5 million over three years (R$, February 21/13). Israeli…

Canada and Israel establish energy R&D fund

Canada and Israel are collaborating to establish the Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund to accelerate development of technologies and processes enabling the responsible development of unconventional oil and gas resources. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is committing $5 million over three years to the fund while Israel will finance projects on a case-by-case basis. To…

Oil sands producers form new alliance

Canada’s oil sands production companies have established a consortium to improve environmental performance by scaling up and accelerating the discovery and development of environmental technologies and reducing the time between idea and implementation. Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) consists of 12 founding firms including BP, Imperial Oil, Total, Nexen, Shell, Suncor Energy and ConocoPhillips.…

Genomics-based test for forest pathogens funded

Genome British Columbia and Genome Canada are providing $4.3 million for the development of a DNA-based diagnostic test to detect and monitor pathogens damaging Canadian forests. The Genomics-Based Forest Health Diagnostics and Monitoring project is expected to generate annual economic benefits in the “tens of millions of dollars”. The project is led by Dr Richard…

Updated national building energy code released

The 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings has been updated with 245 changes to accommodate new technologies and construction practices. The new Energy Code was prepared by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes with technical support from the National Research Council and Natural Resources Canada. The code must be adopted by…

Saskatchewan nuclear reactor proposal endorsed

The Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) has unanimously endorsed a proposal to build a Canadian Neutron Source (CNS) at the Univ of Saskatchewan to support all types of materials research. The CNS would be complement the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. Last year, the provincial government responded to calls for proposals from Natural Resources Canada…

First Arctic satellite observation station launched

Canada’s first Arctic satellite station has been launched in Inuvik NWT to receive near real-time scientific information from a satellite orbiting over Canada. The Inuvik Satellite Station Facility is a public-private partnership between Natural Resources Canada, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Lethbridge AB-based PrioraNet Canada Inc. The Tandem X satellite was launched June 21st…

Domtar and FPI to build pilot nanocrystalline plant

Montreal-based Domtar Corp and FP Innovations (FPI) are pooling their expertise to build a commercial-scale nanocrystalline demonstration plant at Domtar’s Windsor QC pulp and paper mill site. The joint venture is attracting $32.4 million for construction of the plant and $8.4 million for operating costs, including $12 million from Domtar which has applied for project…

Project launched to produce algae-based biofuel

The National Research Council (NRC) has launched a major initiative to commercialize the mass production of biofuel from algae. The Halifax-based project was launched under the National Bioproducts Program (NBP), a joint initiative of the NRC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Natural Resources Canada. NRC will contribute $5 million to the project through the NBP…

BDC to finance CANMET MTL move to McMaster

The Business Development Bank of Canada has announced financing of $57 million in a $69-million research complex that is the future home of the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory. (MTL). Currently based in Ottawa as part of Natural Resources Canada, MTL is re-locating to the McMaster Univ Innovation Park as part of a larger federal initiative…