British Columbia’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund is providing funding to assist the province’s clean technology industry develop BC’s clean tech sector and create good jobs.
Powertech Labs, a Surrey-based company working to advance fuelling for medium and heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles has been assisted by the fund.
Raymond Lings, President and CEO of Powertech Labs said “B.C. has long been a pioneer in advancing hydrogen and clean energy technologies.” He added “We’re proud of the critical role that Powertech has played, and our achievements can be seen in today’s fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure around the world.”
According to the company’s website, Powertech Labs is one of the largest testing and research labs in North America, employing scientists, engineers and technical specialists from around the world.
In a press release, the BC government calls Powertech’s work “an important part of reducing climate pollution and meeting B.C.’s climate targets, as set out in CleanBC.”
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources said “The same technology and ideas needed to reduce climate pollution will drive economic growth and help B.C. businesses succeed in the global market for clean energy, products and expertise,” said Ralston.
Other projects funded by Innovative Clean Energy Fund include Ionomr Innovations. Money from ICE has been used to develop the Vancouver-based company’s ion-exchange membrane and polymer solutions. Ionomr Innovations’ clean technology can be used within the power devices of zero-emission vehicles and store energy for renewable power generation, such as batteries used in power plants or electrical grids.
Bill Haberlin, CEO, Ionomr Innovations Inc. said BC “has long been the epicentre of hydrogen fuel cell development and is now turning its technology leadership into an economic advantage.” Haberlin added “Ionomr is emerging as a global player in the sector, and we look forward to providing customers with advanced ion-exchange material solutions that offer crucial commercial benefits for clean power generation.”
Vancouver’s Clir Renewables received ICE funding to develop an artificial intelligence wind farm optimization software, a software-as-a-service tool to help wind farm operators identify problems and increase the amount of power they produce.
“As a clean tech business in B.C., it is brilliant to see the provincial government make funding available for local businesses to develop solutions to fight climate change,” said Gareth Brown, CEO, Clir Renewables Inc. “The ICE funding has been critical in our success to optimizing wind farms globally and has enabled us to secure further outside investment into the company to create 50 well-paid jobs here in B.C.”
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy said “Our CleanBC climate and economic plan will continue to expand opportunities for clean energy production, transportation, natural resource extraction and other sectors.”
Innovative Clean Energy funding comes from a levy on the final sale of specified energy products – currently natural gas, fuel oil and propane distribution systems.
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