Tag: North America

Leading sustainable development through education
[ad_1]
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is committed to integrating sustainability into its academic environment and promoting cutting-edge green technologies and research.

College of the North Atlantic is at the forefront of sustainable development in Newfoundland and Labrador, leading the charge with cutting-edge green technologies and a new School for Sustainable Development. This bold initiative spans CNA’s 17 campuses, reinforcing its commitment to the green transition.

To delve deeper, The Innovation Platform spoke with Dr Gary Thompson, Dean of the School of Sustainable Development, and Dr Michael Long, Dean of Applied Research and Innovation.

What’s driving CNA’s Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development and Growth?

Dr Thompson: CNA’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan is laser-focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, innovative teaching, and sustainable growth. We’re embedding sustainability into everything we do – from operations to curriculum – aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This isn’t just about going green; it’s about equipping our students with the skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving, eco-conscious economy.

Opportunities abound in Newfoundland and Labrador, from wind energy to green construction. CNA is positioning itself as a leader in these sectors, offering a curriculum that prepares students for the booming green energy workforce.

As green energy technologies develop, there is a strong demand for skilled workers who possess the knowledge and expertise required in the sector. CNA is poised to develop expertise in this sector to support local employment opportunities for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Sustainability will further diversify CNA’s curriculum, educational programming, and operations in the coming years.

Can you tell us about the new School of Sustainable Development?

Dr Thompson: The School of Sustainable Development is already in full swing, launching programmes that tackle climate change and green building. We’re partnering with industry and government to address Atlantic Canada’s green labour needs. Here’s how we’re making an impact:
- Curriculum Development: New programmes are focused on sustainable practices and green tech, and existing courses are being revamped to include sustainability principles.
- Community Engagement: We’re working hand-in-hand with local communities to promote sustainability projects, educating and engaging the broader public.
- Campus Operations: From reducing energy use to ramping up recycling, we’re making our campuses greener. Think campus-wide sustainability challenges and green certifications.
- Workforce Development: We’re prepping students for green careers with training programmes and certifications in renewable energy and sustainable resource management.
This approach ensures CNA graduates are not just knowledgeable but passionate about driving positive environmental change. Our sustainable operations are setting a new standard for institutions everywhere.

What new programmes does the School of Sustainable Development offer?

Dr Thompson: In 2023, we launched two key programmes: A one-year Wind Turbine Technician certificate and a two-year Hydrogen Technician diploma –the first of its kind in Canada. These programmes are designed to meet the demands of the renewable energy sector, providing hands-on experience and critical theoretical knowledge. Our first Wind Turbine Technician cohort graduated in June 2024, and they’re already in high demand. We’re also gearing up to launch a new solar programme in 2025, further solidifying our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

This plan is not the first example of CNA’s commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technologies. How is the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) advancing sustainability?

Dr Long: At OARI, technology is one tool in the matrix of sustainability. We’re using advanced technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and 3D modelling to give businesses and communities detailed, accurate representations of their environments and operations. This helps them to do things better, lighter, cheaper, faster or smarter.

How does collaboration fuel innovation at CNA?

Dr Long: Collaboration is at the core of our work. We don’t start research without a partner who has a specific challenge, problem, or bottleneck that needs addressing. This means constant outreach and site visits to understand their needs. We also love showing potential partners our labs and projects to demonstrate how we can make a real impact together.

How is CNA equipped to facilitate cutting-edge research?

Dr Long: Applied research is a complex undertaking requiring many systems. Most people think about technology or labs when they think about research, but the truth is your team is the core. That team is comprised of researchers, technologists, technicians, interns, students, faculty, and administrative personnel – the full gamut.

CNA and its 17 campuses are also key. Having such proximity to rural businesses and communities is incredibly important to support innovation services.

What is the Reality Capture and Digitisation Access Centre (RCD TAC)?

Dr Long: The RCD TAC is our latest innovation hub, one of 64 specialised applied research centres in Canada. We use cutting-edge reality capture technology – like handheld LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry – to create 3D models that are transforming industries.

In mining, we don’t just map the precise location of minerals; we redefine the possibilities of resource extraction with unparalleled accuracy. Our expert team has also helped them monitor ventilation underground. We’ve even revitalised abandoned mines by updating their physical and mineralogical maps.

In the construction sector, our 3D models are game changers. They guarantee precise measurements and integrate with industry-standard software like CAD and GIS. Our clients say even their cost estimates are now more accurate.

Our clients in the automotive and aerospace industries leverage our cutting-edge models to simplify complex processes, enhancing precision and productivity.

Heritage preservation is another area where we shine. We’re creating a comprehensive digital database of historic properties throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Our detailed 3D models capture every architectural nuance, ensuring these treasures are preserved and maintained for future generations.

Our centre was deeply honoured to contribute to the commemoration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s sacrifice during the First World War. Our 3D model played a significant role in the completion of the final statue of the Trail of the Caribou in Gallipoli, Turkey.

These achievements are just the beginning. Our goal is to make advanced tech accessible to all businesses, level the playing field, and drive innovation across the board.

Can you elaborate on some of the technologies on offer at RCD TAC and provide some examples of successes facilitated by the Centre?

Dr Long: One of the hallmarks of the suite of technologies at the RCD TAC is portability. This is how we bring technology out of the lab into real-world environments. Our teams are constantly in the field. Our reality capture technologies can be handheld, such as a metrology scanner, which can create a 3D model of an object down 0.025 of a millimetre in accuracy. We also like to use drones as vehicles to capture data in larger areas.

We have topo-bathymetric LIDAR systems that can give you a very accurate 3D model of both underwater and on land; we have hyperspectral systems that can see what the human eye cannot; we have autonomous LiDAR drones that literally fly themselves on data collection missions to help us model environments and structures; and there are robust inspection drones such as Elios 3 for harsher environments.

All these technologies are data collection engines that help us see our world better so we can plan and decide more accurately.

How does CNA plan to stay ahead in reality capture and digitisation?

Dr Long: Technology evolves rapidly, and we’re committed to staying at the forefront. This means linking technology to business needs, ensuring that every tool we invest in has a clear application that benefits our partners. With support from industry and government, we’re positioning ourselves to be major players in the wind and hydrogen sectors, all while advancing our sustainability goals.

What’s the long-term vision for the School of Sustainable Development?

Dr Thompson: Our vision is to make CNA the leader in sustainability education and innovation in Atlantic Canada. We’re expanding our curriculum to include new programmes in renewable energy, sustainable resource management, green building, and environmental conservation. Sustainability will be woven into every discipline, ensuring all graduates are well-versed in sustainable practices.

Beyond academics, we’re establishing research centres focused on green technologies and environmental protection. These will be innovation hubs where we partner with industry, government, and other institutions to tackle real-world sustainability challenges.

Community engagement is key. We’re working with local communities on sustainable projects and building global partnerships to share knowledge and best practices. On campus, we’re implementing green initiatives like energy efficiency and waste reduction, aiming to be a model for other institutions.

We’re also committed to workforce development, offering training and certifications in emerging green technologies. Our expanded career services will connect students with job opportunities in the green economy, both locally and internationally.

In the coming years, we’ll scale up our efforts with new degree programmes, increased research funding, and stronger community outreach. Our goal is to drive sustainable innovation and prepare the next generation of leaders in the green economy.

Through these strategic initiatives, the School of Sustainable Development at CNA aims to significantly enhance its impact, contributing to a more sustainable future by educating the next generation of leaders in the green economy and fostering innovation in sustainable practices.

Please note, this article will also appear in the 19th edition of our quarterly publication.
[ad_2]

Source link
September 3, 2024
Bringing research into the community
[ad_1]
NSCAD University details its innovative research programmes that work with the community, for the community.

Art plays a significant role in our society. As an arts and design university, NSCAD University (also known as the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) is uniquely positioned to adapt and meet the needs of the society it serves.

What sets NSCAD apart is its deep connection to the community. Our approach is distinct within the cultural education sector in Canada as it reflects how nearly all our research involves partnerships with communities. NSCAD consistently redefines its relationship with the community, extending beyond the university to enhance accessibility and better address the needs of a diverse student body and community partners.

Community engagement in our research is a critical way to solve larger societal and systemic problems.

How we engage in social research at an art and design university depends on the artist, designer, or scholar conducting it. Research may be an act of creation work, it might be scholarly research, or, frequently, it is a combination of the two.

Practice-led research provides a framework for faculty and students to engage in high-quality artistic creation supported by theory and practice. It allows for the development of new knowledge and effective application. The framework is always evolving in terms of how we can conceptualise it, how it applies to our work, what fits within it, and the type of thinking it allows.

Research creation (a Canadian term that is interchangeable with practice-led research) conceptualises art-making as research with direct implications for the economy, societal wellbeing, and new teaching methodologies that allow for more diverse participation at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

NSCAD’s participation in research creation and the importance of community involvement in the university’s research environment can be best explained through its innovative projects.

The Flaxmobile project

The Flaxmobile project is a three-year research initiative led by Professor Jennifer Green (Craft/Textile) that aims to support farmers and craftspeople across Mi’kma’ki, Nova Scotia. The Flaxmobile is a mobile education and processing facility focused on cultivating flax as an alternative to synthetic and fossil fuel-based fibres.

Our primary goal is to develop a critical network of farmers, fibre mills, craftspeople, and consumers along a local textile supply chain to address the craft and material security gap in Nova Scotia.

The project work is deeply rooted in culture and place, working hands-on in the field to cultivate, care for, harvest, and process flax into linen. We are engaging 15 farmers and 15 craftspeople paired together, granting craftspeople a better understanding of the origin and processing of the materials they use. Farmers are relearning how to grow flax, processors are discovering new ways to process it, and people across the supply chain are collaborating and adjusting to utilise these
new materials.

This involvement informs the revival of flax culture in the region and influences the materials and products being created by craftspeople in studio-based work.

Through a practice-led methodology called transition design, the project aims to understand how a lack of local textile production has become systemically entrenched. One of the key principles of transition design is that societal problems manifest in specific ways depending on context and location.

Our community engagement activities involved more than 80 people and provided valuable insight into how the issues surrounding the global fast fashion industry and the lack of local textile manufacturing are manifesting within the community.

The project aims to suggest interventions that can help shift our current unsustainable textile production and consumption practices towards more sustainable ones by engaging with communities across the entire textile supply chain.

The Community Mobile Media Lab

The Community Mobile Media Lab (CMML) is a mobile media research lab led by Professor Solomon Nagler (Media Arts/Film) that provides infrastructure and supports research projects through partnerships with communities. Our primary research aims to reduce barriers for underrepresented communities that do not typically have access to conventional media arts and film production training and promote the sharing of culture, heritage, and identity.

Despite numerous calls to diversify the industry, many reports lack practical advice and fail to address the real challenges people face. As such, we are going directly into communities with local partners to develop more professional and industry-specific training,
creating opportunities for job placement and economic empowerment.

© shutterstock/Viktor Gladkov

Thanks to a substantial grant from Research Nova Scotia to run the lab and another grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation to purchase the highest-quality, industry-standard gear, we are able to equip students to transition more easily into the commercial industry.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, post-secondary training for certain industries is mainly located in the capital city, creating significant barriers for individuals from other communities who cannot easily travel to study. As a result, we are not only bringing equipment to these communities but also producing film and documentary work with them that we are then able to screen and assist in distributing to festivals around the globe.

Impressively, important industry players have taken notice of our preliminary work and are providing additional funding for more projects.

The training programme gained momentum quickly. In our first year, we mainly worked with organisations in Halifax that catered to the African Nova Scotian and Urban Indigenous populations. As our reach expanded, other communities outside of Halifax approached us with interest in the training we offered.

The main focus going forward is to change the way filmmaking is taught at NSCAD. We are considering creating a certificate programme specifically for individuals from underrepresented communities to make the transition into the job market easier. This programme would be geared towards those who face financial barriers and may not have completed high school, providing culturally appropriate training and learning.

Our long-term goal is to use this collaborative methodology in an international context, seeking ways to apply filmmaking as a tool for community healing. We are exploring how filmmaking can be utilised to bring communities together and promote storytelling as a means of connecting and finding common ground. This three-year hyperlocal project is really just the beginning.

Planting the seeds of hope across Turtle Island: Connecting Mi’kmaq and Zapotec youth to Elders, language and culture through Indigenous food production and participatory visual methods

This project, led by Dr Joshua Schwab-Cartas, (funded by SSHRC Insight Development Grant) focuses on restoring intergenerational relations between Indigenous youth and Elders through a series of workshops in Canada and Mexico based on storytelling using cellphilms (short videos purposefully made on cellphones/tablets) and art making (murals) in relation to traditional Indigenous food production. The project will connect Indigenous youth across both local and international regions to share ideas, develop support systems, and create practices of solidarity.

It has four objectives:
1. Connecting youth with elders
2. Centring Indigenous ancestral practices, such as food production/preparation and Indigenous languages
3. Encouraging knowledge exchange and solidarity across Turtle Island (North America)
4. Using available resources to develop sustainable community-based action.
Four research questions will guide the project:
1. How can practice-based experiential learning support language acquisition, food security, and wellbeing among youth?
2. How can digital technologies be incorporated into such a model that is founded upon ancestral modes of experiential learning?
3. What does it mean to collaboratively explore what traditional food practices of Mi’kmaq and Zapotec youth and Elders can be incorporated into language revitalisation practices?
4. How has Indigenous language attrition affected traditional food practices and intergenerational knowledge transfer?
Four interconnected areas of theorisation will inform this project: Two-Eyed Seeing, Communalidad, Critical Food Guidance and Multiliteracies. Bringing together these theories, which are typically seen as separate, will be key to ensuring that the project is grounded in both Mi’kmaq and Zapotec epistemologies and traditional foodways.

A participatory methodological framework will inform this study, as participants will have control over the research agenda, process, action, and ownership. In contrast, the latter will be informed by The First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession – more commonly known as OCAP. In addition to following the principles in OCAP, this project will also use the four Rs of doing ethical research with Indigenous communities, which are respect, relevance, reciprocity and responsibility (Kirkness & Barnhardt, 1991).

Participatory research unites inquiry with tangible action. Everyday citizens are key in identifying issues that affect their communities and what course of
action needs to be pursued. Furthermore, since this project is grounded in both Comunalidad and Two Eyed-Seeing, which, like participatory action research, are found with the transformative paradigm (Kovach, 2009) that “includes principles of co-learning, experiential methods, shared knowledge practices, respectful relationships, and mutually beneficial results” (Gaudet, 2014, p. 73).

The project will produce rich qualitative data documented through fieldnotes, recordings of team meetings and visual documents. All materials produced in the project (drawings, photos, videos) will be used as data to create learning resources and community archival material. This project will engage in collective research with our Elders, children and parents, which will document traditional practices – from cooking to sandal crafting and fishing – while exploring the ways language and traditional knowledge are passed on. Together with the community, I will work towards our main deliverables:
- Create a series of cellphilms in both communities that document both language and ancestral food practices
- Public screenings of the cellphilms created followed by a public talk and a Q&A
- Write and publish a report (in collaboration with the communities) and scholarly article(s) that both assess the outcomes of the project and recommendations to foster future language learning among youth
- A multilingual (L’nui’simk, Diidxazá, Spanish & English) recipe book that documents the recipes learned by youth in both communities, which will also include pictures, drawings and a multilingual language glossary.
The Storying Transnational Knowledge Project

Our main goal is to co-create storytelling platforms with young people, focusing on newcomers. By working with them to share their stories through conventional mediums such as picture books, podcasts, and oral histories, as well as through creative expression in areas like fashion and textiles, we aim to convey personal and collective narratives.

The project originated from previously funded research that generated 35 unique picture books with children who had refugee experience in Halifax and Coventry, UK – known as a city of sanctuary with a history of welcoming refugees. However, this only scratched the surface in terms of exploring narrative creation and the various forms it can take as a means of expression.

The current project, led by Dr April Mandrona, (funded by a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant) delves deeper into the relationship between art-making and storytelling with newcomer young people. There are two study sites in Canada, Halifax and Montreal, and two in Australia, Darwin and Adelaide. As an art education initiative, the focus is on developing skills and knowledge, maintaining relationships, networking, and community building.

Multimodal storytelling is based on the everyday knowledge of ordinary people, considering the ways in which stories are told, held, and shared. Through discussion and art-making, we create an ethical framework for telling individual and collective stories to navigate the issues experienced in day-to-day life that are tied to larger social concerns such as stigma, poverty, and isolation.

This approach can help address issues related to displacement experienced by newcomers, build connections with local communities, and improve attitudes toward non-natives in education and social services. With a federal mandate to accommodate more newcomers, we must consider the conditions into which newcomers are being welcomed. Historically, there has been a tendency to disregard the skills and knowledge they bring. It is essential to seriously consider how damaging this script can be, focus on building better relationships, and examine what it means to be a good host.

The so-called refugee crisis has implications for Canada, particularly in Halifax as a port city, such as the impact on the public school system, which now has about 80 languages represented due to the influx of newcomers. Australia grapples with similar issues, and both countries have a difficult history of the colonisation of Indigenous peoples – to which our current relationship with newcomers and refugees is tied.

The intention is not to carry out a comparative study but rather to examine opportunities for collaboration across research sites. The project will develop processes to share stories between these locations, whether through mobile apps, digital technologies, or other avenues that we may not have yet considered. Our goal is to build connections between groups, understand the nature of these connections, and explore how storytelling and art can facilitate and evolve these relationships.

Fundamentally, we are all stories. The stories we tell ourselves internally shape who we are and interact with the stories we tell others. Exploring this creatively can help us understand each other better.

Contributors:
Jana Macalik
April Mandrona
Jennifer Green
Carla Taunton
Joshua Schwab-Cartas
Solomon Nagler

Please note, this article will also appear in the 19th edition of our quarterly publication.
[ad_2]

Source link
September 2, 2024
US allocates $62m to advance clean hydrogen technologies
[ad_1]
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a significant $62m investment in 20 clean hydrogen projects across 15 states.

These projects aim to fast-track the development and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies, focusing on crucial areas like hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, hydrogen-powered port equipment, and enhancing processes for the equitable deployment of hydrogen solutions.

The selected projects include innovative efforts to ensure the benefits of clean energy reach all Americans, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to building a robust, equitable, clean hydrogen economy.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm emphasised the significance of the funding: “Today’s announcement builds on the historic clean hydrogen investments made possible by the Investing in America agenda and will help deliver new economic opportunities across the nation while also reinforcing America’s global leadership in clean energy technologies for generations to come.”

Key areas of focus

The DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) will oversee projects across five main areas:
1. Hydrogen fuelling for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles: $8.5m will fund the development of advanced components for hydrogen fuelling systems tailored to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
2. Standardised hydrogen refuelling stations: $40m is dedicated to creating low-cost, replicable hydrogen refuelling stations to support commercial-scale truck fuelling.
3. Hydrogen fuel cell-powered port equipment: A $2.5m project at the Port of Oakland will demonstrate hydrogen-powered equipment for port operations.
4. Permitting and safety for hydrogen deployment: Seven projects will share $7m to address challenges in hydrogen infrastructure deployment, from siting to permitting.
5. Equitable community engagement: Four projects, supported by $4m, will improve DOE’s engagement with disadvantaged communities and develop best practices for Community Benefits Plans (CBPs).
The advantages of clean hydrogen

Clean hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier, essential in various industries such as fertiliser production and steelmaking.

It can be produced from diverse clean energy sources, including renewables and nuclear power. Its role is crucial in decarbonising challenging sectors like heavy-duty transportation and industrial processes, as well as in long-duration energy storage.

By advancing clean hydrogen technologies, the US aims to strengthen energy independence, reduce emissions, and support economic growth. Clean hydrogen technologies are also expected to contribute significantly to job creation.

Commitment to equity in clean energy

These projects not only drive advancements in clean hydrogen technologies but also focus on equity and environmental justice.

All selected initiatives are expected to implement comprehensive Community Benefits
Plans (CBPs), ensuring that clean hydrogen development benefits all communities, particularly those historically underserved.

In alignment with the Justice40 initiative, over $14m is dedicated to community benefits, with more than 20 minority-serving institutions involved as partners.

These efforts underscore the US’ commitment to an inclusive clean energy transition, ensuring that the clean hydrogen economy delivers prosperity and sustainability for all Americans.
[ad_2]

Source link
September 2, 2024
How innovation is transforming Canada’s mining industry

[ad_1]

Canada’s mining industry is experiencing a profound transformation fuelled by innovation.

From autonomous vehicles to advanced data analytics, new technologies are reshaping traditional mining practices and creating exciting opportunities.

These innovations not only enhance efficiency and safety but also advance sustainable mining practices.

As you observe Canada’s mining landscape, a gradual yet significant shift is becoming evident.

Innovation is quietly but decisively redefining the industry, introducing advancements that promise to overhaul traditional practices.

Let’s explore how technology is revolutionising mineral extraction and shaping the future of mining in Canada.

Why Is innovation crucial to Canada’s mining industry?

Innovation is essential to Canada’s mining industry because it drives efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness.

Enhanced efficiency in mining operations directly boosts productivity and cost-effectiveness.

Sustainable practices allow mining companies to minimise environmental impacts, comply with regulations, and meet the growing demand for responsible resource extraction.

Technological advancements significantly improve worker safety, optimise resource utilisation, and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

The integration of cutting-edge technologies—such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and advanced analytics—has revolutionised traditional mining practices.

These innovations streamline operations, enhance safety protocols, and reduce downtime. By embracing innovation, Canadian mining companies can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Furthermore, sustainable practices driven by innovation are vital for the long-term viability of the mining sector.

Implementing environmentally friendly initiatives not only benefits ecosystems but also strengthens the social license to operate, fostering positive relationships with local communities and stakeholders.

Canada’s commitment to sustainable mining through innovation sets a global benchmark, attracting investment and ensuring a competitive edge in the international market.

How is the Canadian Government supporting innovation in mining?

The government actively promotes innovation in the Canada’s mining sector through strategic investments and collaborative partnerships.

Government funding is crucial for driving technological advancements within the industry. Various programmes and initiatives support research and development in mining technologies.

For example, the Strategic Innovation Fund allocates resources to projects that enhance productivity, sustainability, and safety in mining operations. This funding enables companies to explore innovative solutions that can revolutionise the sector.

Additionally, the Canadian Government fosters industry partnerships to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

By collaborating with mining companies, technology providers, and research institutions, the government creates a conducive environment for knowledge exchange and innovation.

These partnerships facilitate the implementation of advanced solutions across the mining value chain, from exploration to processing and waste management.

Key players accelerating mining technology and innovation in Canada

Several prominent research groups and projects in Canada are actively working to accelerate mining technology and innovation.

Through industry partnerships and academic collaborations, these entities are driving significant technological advancements and promoting sustainable practices within the sector.

One such organisation is the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), which focuses on research and technology development to improve mining efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

MIRARCO collaborates closely with industry partners to ensure their innovations are practically applicable.

The Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) also plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders and research institutions.

By providing a platform for research funding and facilitating innovation hubs, CMIC accelerates the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in mining operations.

Research projects like the Green Mining Initiative, led by Natural Resources Canada, aim to develop and implement innovative technologies that promote sustainable mining practices.

These initiatives contribute to the continuous improvement of environmental standards and operational efficiencies within the Canadian mining industry.

Barriers to mining innovation

Overcoming barriers to mining innovation in Canada requires addressing inefficiencies in regulatory processes and fostering closer collaboration between industry and research institutions.

One significant obstacle is the complex and time-consuming regulatory framework that slows the implementation of new technologies in the mining sector.

Streamlining these processes, perhaps through digitalisation and automation, could greatly accelerate innovation.

Another challenge is the disconnect between industry players and research institutions. Fostering collaboration through joint projects, knowledge sharing, and incentivising partnerships can help the industry tap into the latest research and academic expertise, speeding up innovation cycles.

Promoting investment in innovation is also crucial. A lack of funding can hinder the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

Creating incentives like tax breaks, grants, and partnerships with private investors can attract the necessary capital to drive innovation forward.

The transformative impact of innovation on Canada’s mining sector is undeniable. With government support, collaborative research efforts, and a focus on technological advancements, the industry is evolving toward a more sustainable and competitive future.

Despite challenges such as regulatory hurdles and investment limitations, the momentum for mining innovation in Canada remains strong.

By addressing these obstacles and continuing to prioritise innovation, the industry is well-positioned to maintain its global leadership in the years to come.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 30, 2024
US Government invests $521m to expand EV charging network

[ad_1]

The US government has announced a substantial investment of $52m in grants aimed at enhancing the country’s EV charging network.

This funding will be distributed across 29 states, two Federally Recognised Tribes, and the District of Columbia, enabling the deployment of more than 9,200 EV charging ports.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the US’ broader strategy to establish a convenient, affordable, and reliable EV charging network across the nation.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg commented: “The Biden-Harris Administration has been clear about America leading the EV revolution, and thanks to the historic infrastructure package, we’re building a nationwide EV charger network to make sure all drivers have an accessible, reliable, and convenient way to charge their vehicles.

“The awards that we’re announcing today will build on this important work and will help ensure that the cost savings, health and climate benefits, and jobs of the EV future are secured for Americans across the country.”

Expanding the EV charging network

As part of this initiative, the US government is focused on increasing access to EV charging for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways.

The objective is to ensure that drivers can charge their vehicles close to home, at work, and along major corridors, thereby making EV ownership more practical and appealing.

Since the start of Joe Biden’s presidency, the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled, now surpassing 192,000 charging ports nationwide.

This growth has been fuelled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has catalysed significant private investments in EV charging infrastructure.

Approximately 1,000 new public chargers are being added each week, reflecting the rapid expansion of the EV charging network.

The role of government investment

The expansion of the EV charging network is being driven by key federal initiatives, including the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

These are essential in bridging gaps in charging infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas such as rural, suburban, urban, and Tribal communities.

©shutterstock/AI Image Generator

The funding also aligns with the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, which focuses on EV charging infrastructure for trucks along one of America’s largest freight corridors.

Promoting economic development and environmental sustainability

The new EV infrastructure is expected to significantly contribute to emission reductions, economic development, and healthier communities.

By supporting the transition to electric vehicles, the US is taking a critical step toward reducing pollution and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

These investments are also set to create good-paying, union jobs, further stimulating economic growth in various regions across the country.

Key community and corridor EV charging projects

Of the $52m allocated, $321m will fund 41 community projects aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure within local communities.

Notably, the City of Milwaukee will receive nearly $15m to install EV chargers at 53 sites citywide, focusing on areas that currently lack sufficient EV infrastructure.

This project is designed to support Milwaukee’s climate and equity goals by encouraging EV adoption in low-to-moderate-income communities and neighbourhoods with a high density of multifamily housing units.

Additionally, the Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority in North Dakota will receive nearly $3.9m to install publicly accessible community EV charging stations across the Sioux Reservation.

These stations will be strategically located in areas that serve as gathering spots for Tribal members, ensuring that the EV charging network is accessible to underserved communities.

On the corridor front, $200m will be allocated to 10 fast-charging projects along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.

For instance, the Fort Independence Indian Community will receive over $15m to establish an EV charging hub along the US Route 395 corridor.

This hub will be powered by a solar micro-grid with combined heat and power generation and battery backup, contributing to emissions reductions and energy resilience.

Moreover, the City of Atlanta will receive nearly $11.8m to install a DC Fast Charging Hub at the Atlanta Airport, featuring 50 DC fast chargers.

This hub will cater to rental car companies, ride-share drivers, airport shuttles, and regional EV drivers, improving access to fast charging in a critical transit hub.

The US government’s significant investment in EV charging infrastructure represents a major step forward in building a robust and accessible EV charging network across the nation.

These historic investments will ensure that more Americans have the opportunity to drive electric, whether they are in urban centres, rural areas, or along the nation’s busiest highways.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 29, 2024
The evolution of hydrogen production in the US

[ad_1]

The landscape of hydrogen production in the US is shaped by a complex interplay of historical foundations and modern advancements.

From its industrial roots to a growing focus on clean energy solutions, hydrogen holds vast potential. Exploring the country’s resources and strategic initiatives reveals a promising future for this versatile energy carrier.

But what does this mean for the US in the broader context of sustainable energy transition and decarbonisation efforts?

History and current outlook of hydrogen production in the US

Hydrogen production in the US dates back to the early 1800s, when it was first utilised for industrial purposes.

Initially, hydrogen was primarily produced through steam reforming of natural gas. Over time, advancements in hydrogen technology have led to more efficient and sustainable production methods, such as electrolysis using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

This shift toward renewables has not only improved the energy efficiency of hydrogen production but also reduced its environmental impact, aligning with the growing emphasis on clean energy.

Currently, the outlook for hydrogen production in the US is one of promising growth. The integration of hydrogen into various industrial applications—such as refining, ammonia production, and transportation—is driving demand for this versatile energy carrier.

Moreover, the push for decarbonisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy has further fuelled interest in hydrogen as a clean energy solution.

With ongoing research and development, the US is well-positioned to expand its hydrogen production capabilities and play a significant role in the global hydrogen market.

US potential for hydrogen exploration and development

With abundant natural gas reserves and a rapidly growing renewable energy sector, the US holds substantial potential for hydrogen exploration and development.

The country’s diverse resources and established infrastructure make it particularly well-suited for hydrogen production.

This potential is further amplified by a national commitment to clean energy initiatives, positioning hydrogen as a key player in the transition toward sustainable energy solutions.

Hydrogen exploration and development in the US are supported by several factors. Vast natural gas reserves enable cost-effective hydrogen production through steam methane reforming—a process that can be made even cleaner with carbon capture technology.

Additionally, the increasing focus on renewable energy sources like wind and solar presents opportunities for green hydrogen production through electrolysis, which uses electricity from clean sources to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

The US government’s emphasis on clean energy and carbon reduction aligns with the promotion of hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative.

This support, combined with advancements in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, positions the US as a significant player in the global hydrogen market.

As demand for clean energy solutions continues to rise, the US holds a promising future in hydrogen exploration and development, contributing to a more sustainable energy landscape.

Hydrogen’s role in the US clean energy transition

Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in the US clean energy transition by serving as a versatile and sustainable energy carrier.

As a clean fuel, hydrogen technology offers a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate goals. Its versatility allows for integration across various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation.

In the context of renewable energy, hydrogen is crucial for energy sustainability. By using renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, the US can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move toward a more sustainable energy mix.

©shutterstock/Scharfsinn

This aligns with national climate goals by promoting decarbonisation and reducing environmental impact.

Moreover, hydrogen technology enables energy storage and grid balancing, addressing the intermittency of renewable sources and enhancing overall system reliability.

By leveraging hydrogen as a storage medium, the US can optimise its renewable energy resources and establish a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure.

Key points of the US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap

The US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap outlines key initiatives and objectives for advancing hydrogen utilisation and production nationwide.

The strategy focuses on promoting clean energy through the development of a vibrant hydrogen economy, with an emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy security, and creating new economic opportunities.

One of the main points of the strategy is the commitment to scaling up clean hydrogen production to decrease costs and increase competitiveness.

This involves significant investment in research and development to drive innovation and improve efficiency in hydrogen production technologies.

Additionally, the roadmap emphasises the importance of establishing strategic partnerships between the government, industry, and academia to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure across various sectors.

It also highlights the significance of international collaboration, aiming to align with global partners to advance clean hydrogen technologies on a worldwide scale.

Ultimately, the strategy aims to position the US as a leader in clean hydrogen production and utilisation, driving innovation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Future direction of the US hydrogen landscape

The envisioned future of hydrogen production in the US involves establishing sustainable partnerships and driving innovation to solidify the nation’s position as a global leader in clean hydrogen.

Future development in the US hydrogen sector will depend heavily on technological advancements to enhance efficiency and reduce costs associated with production, storage, and transportation.

Research and development efforts are focused on improving electrolysis technologies, exploring novel materials for fuel cells, and enhancing hydrogen infrastructure to support a growing market.

Policy support is crucial in shaping the future of the US hydrogen landscape. Implementing supportive regulations, fiscal incentives, and investment frameworks will be essential for fostering market expansion and encouraging private sector engagement in hydrogen-related projects.

By creating a conducive policy environment, the US aims to attract investments, stimulate innovation, and accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies across various industries.

Market expansion is another key objective for the US hydrogen sector. Developing a robust hydrogen market will involve diversifying end-use applications, such as transportation, industrial processes, and power generation, to create sustainable demand for hydrogen products.

©shutterstock/Audio und werbung

By expanding market opportunities and promoting cross-sector collaboration, the US can establish a thriving hydrogen economy that contributes to decarbonisation efforts and strengthens long-term energy security.

In conclusion, the US has a rich history of hydrogen production and a promising future ahead. With abundant natural gas reserves and a growing renewable energy sector, the country is well-positioned for hydrogen exploration and development.

As a key player in the clean energy transition, hydrogen offers a versatile and sustainable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors.

The US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap provide a clear direction for the future of hydrogen production in the US, setting the stage for continued innovation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 29, 2024
Co-creating a better world for all

[ad_1]

Dr Eric Li explains how the UBC Social Innovation Hub is helping to build a better future with agile, sustainable, and multifaceted community-university partnerships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted various facets of life in Canada and globally, affecting individual relationships, institutional operations, and international supply chains and collaborations. It has exposed the interconnectedness and vulnerability of complex systems. In response to the challenges of the post-pandemic world, social innovation, social entrepreneurship, social enterprise, social financing, and social business are increasingly recognised as innovative solutions and mechanisms.

The UBC Social Innovation Hub emphasises the multi-stakeholder model, aiming to design and nurture high-impact social innovations, social enterprises, and social businesses. It is also committed to educating the next generation of social innovators and entrepreneurs while fostering long-term collaborations with key partners and communities both locally and globally.

The work of the Social Innovation Hub

The Social Innovation Hub focuses on three main pillars:

Social Innovation Research Network

The Hub facilitates a diverse range of research projects and partnerships and establish an international social innovation research network to connect Canadian scholars with global collaborators and partners.

Social Innovation Learning

The Hub co-ordinates courses, work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes, and other experiential learning activities to engage educators, learners, and community partners at all levels, promoting a deeper understanding of social innovation.

Social Innovation Incubator

The Hub collaborates with key partners to develop a ‘humanitarian-centric’ social innovation incubator. This new programme also supports the development of social businesses, social enterprises, Indigenous social ventures, and other socially-driven enterprises.

Bridging the community-academia gap

Community-university engagement is at the core of the Hub’s approach to innovation. By fostering engagement between academia and the broader community, the Hub aims to enhance collaboration, co-creation, knowledge sharing, and expertise.

Another guiding principle for the Hub’s innovation strategy is inclusivity. By involving stakeholders from multiple sectors and disciplines, the Hub ensures a collaborative, inclusive, sustainable, and participatory approach to solving today’s complex problems. The socio-economic dynamics of current challenges are intricate, necessitating collaboration among the public sector, private sector, academia, industry leaders, community leaders, ecosystem enablers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The Hub serves as a key integrator, connecting relevant stakeholders across various sectors and disciplines.

Current themes of the Hub’s work include:

Health and wellness

The Social Innovation Hub is dedicated to advancing social innovation research to address diverse health challenges and concerns both within and beyond Canada.

Food system and food security

The Hub works with local, regional, national, and international partners to co-develop innovative social ventures that support food production, redistribution, and consumption in local and global food systems.

Sustainable production and consumption

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’, the Hub aims to reduce carbon footprints by promoting eco-friendly production systems and responsible consumption, thereby building climate resilience.

Climate resilience

The Hub collaborates with partners, educators, and learners to co-develop an ecosystem that supports ‘planet-first’ social innovation.

Affordable housing

The Hub is committed to addressing the issue of homelessness by working on affordable housing projects, contributing to the development of sustainable cities and communities and reducing inequality within communities.

These themes provide direction for team building. Developing a sustainable and resilient platform to support social innovation and the establishment of social ventures is crucial. The Hub also creates an integrated impact measurement mechanism to capture social impact and outcomes.

Please note, this article will also appear in the 19th edition of our quarterly publication.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 28, 2024
CRIM as a leader in applied and concrete artificial intelligence

[ad_1]

As AI continues to develop in great strides, CRIM is there to regulate it and is developing methods to ensure AI remains safe and productive.

CRIM is an applied research centre founded in 1985 by a group of companies and universities who wanted a neutral organisation to accelerate the transfer of new technologies to the marketplace. A not-for-profit organisation, CRIM has played a major role over the past 35 years in achieving many of the milestones that have marked the development of Quebec’s technology sector, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. CRIM’s main raison d’être is to develop cutting-edge technologies and transfer them to companies, turning them into commercial successes and contributing to the creation of high-tech jobs.

Since its inception, CRIM has been at the heart of the global transformation of industry by AI. The promises of AI are numerous, but it is difficult to evaluate and operationalise, includes a large share of unknowns and risks, and is difficult to implement. The methodologies around new methods are not yet established, and expertise and experience in these areas are scarce.

As a bridge between scientific and academic progress and the industry, CRIM presents a critical mass of AI experts, research scientists, data scientists, software developers, and architects, providing a multidisciplinary expertise to process all types of data: audio, speech, images, video, text, sensor signals, geospatial data, time series, and tabular data. CRIM is also a leader in the development and adaptation of generative AI, in all these modalities, for the creation of reliable solutions in all ranges of problems and fields.

A catalyst for innovation, CRIM has a long track record of delivering concrete solutions using the latest technologies in AI, dedicated first to the needs of the industry and institutions. It offers its customers and partners an advanced know-how in experimental AI development, with a view to delivering concrete solutions. This includes a vast set of methodologies consolidated over hundreds of AI projects, including data-centric approaches, metric development, building evaluation benches, developing and fine-tuning machine learning models in several modalities, MLOps, DevOPs and DataOps, generative methods, trusted AI, etc. CRIM stands out in particular for its ability to apply recent scientific advances in highly constrained application contexts.

Trustworthy AI: Towards a reliable and responsible AI

The world of artificial intelligence is exploding, propelled by the development of deep learning and generative AI, offering possibilities never seen before. Despite this, few AI projects find their way into actual products. The gap between the promises of AI and the practice remains immense. The issues are numerous: the solutions present significant biases, they are opaque and difficult to interpret or explain, they lack consistency and robustness, they are vulnerable to various forms of attack, and generative models are plagued by hallucinations. In general, they are difficult to constrain to standards or specifications. The measurement of the models’ confidence is also a challenge. All these factors constitute a major obstacle to the responsible use of these methods. In critical application domains, such as healthcare, transport, finance, etc., they would simply be unacceptable if used as such, as they would represent a threat to security.

In this context, especially for applications in critical or regulated domains, these approaches need to be framed by a set of methodologies, which we call Trustworthy AI, to deal concretely with all these issues: bias, uncertainty, robustness, compliance, explainability and so on.

As a leader in applied AI for industry, CRIM is investing heavily in the development of trust-based AI. Its integration into the realisation approach is carried out at all levels, in a ‘trust by design’ manner: from the design of the projects themselves, then in all stages of realisation, in the choice of methods and models, in the processing and governance of data, and in the test benches. Everything is guided by CRIM’s goal to systematically develop and transfer Trustworthy AI, in order to increase the real impact of reliable and responsible AI solutions.

Trustworthy AI is a field yet to be built. CRIM is working with industry, in particular through consortia dedicated to this issue, to understand the challenges and use cases, in order to develop and propose solutions.

Combating visual and multimodal misinformation

CRIM aims to get involved in the major issues facing society which could benefit from AI, by contributing with its multidisciplinary technological know-how and mastery of AI development.

Today, misinformation and disinformation constitute a growing threat to society, institutions and individuals alike. The threat is exacerbated by social media, which accelerates the spread of misinformation, and also by the recent rise of generative AI, which enables documents to be produced or modified in a highly realistic way, in all types of media: images, text, audio and video. Technologies are evolving at a breathtaking pace, and at the same time a host of accessible, easy-to-use tools are falling into the hands of the general public. The malicious use of these technologies is likely to have a major impact in all areas and fields of society: in elections and democratic processes, in public health, security, defence, the economy, and so on. These issues are still poorly understood, the mechanisms of disinformation are poorly mastered, and above all, the methods for detecting it are not very advanced, and lag far behind the tools and methods for producing it.

CRIM has joined forces with the University of Ottawa’s Information Integrity Lab to study this issue from a number of social, legal and technological angles. The aim of this collaboration is firstly to consolidate and disseminate knowledge on the issue, and secondly to develop methods and tools to help individuals and institutions detect misinformation. The monitoring work has resulted in a substantial report, the main points of which are currently being disseminated.

CRIM already has extensive experience in related topics: Deep fakes detection, voice and multimodal biometrics, user recognition in audio, etc. Several interdisciplinary projects are underway to apply this expertise to the detection of disinformation. CRIM is actively seeking partnerships to extend the scope of this major project.

Climate data

Climate change and its impact are a major concern for scientists in many fields. CRIM is contributing to this critical issue by leveraging its expertise in geomatics, Earth observation and satellite imagery processing, as well as its know-how in AI and data architecture. On the one hand, CRIM has realised numerous projects and research activities on these subjects (including a first-place finish in a recent competition on sub-seasonal climate prediction), but it has mainly invested in them through its work on climate data platforms and standards.

CRIM has played an active role in a number of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) initiatives, and has made several contributions to extensions to the SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog (STAC) used to record geospatial metadata. Through its contributions, CRIM has strategically positioned itself within the steering committees of these projects, developing standards, specifications and reference implementations, enabling the communication and traceability of data sources used in open science efforts on climate.

This opportunity has enabled CRIM to position itself as a Canadian and international leader in climate informatics and geospatial platforms. These projects have led to concrete benefits not only for the scientific community (Marble project developed in collaboration with Ouranos and the University of Toronto), but also for the general public via the ClimateData.ca portal. This portal, developed and maintained by CRIM in the context of a network of scientific and technological partners built by the Canadian Climate Services Centre (CCC), aims to offer quality climate information, and enables all users to visualise, understand and analyse the data available and produced by the very latest scientific advances. This tool is invaluable to scientists and decision-makers alike, helping them to better understand climate risks and their impact.

“Françoys Labonté, CEO of CRIM said: During its nearly 40 years of existence, CRIM has contributed its state-of-the-art expertise to numerous projects involving international collaborations with European partners. We are thrilled by Canada’s recent agreement to participate in Horizon Europe as an associate country under Pillar 2. This exciting development paves the way for a wealth of new collaborative opportunities, and CRIM is eager to explore and engage in these promising ventures”

Françoys Labonté

Please note, this article will also appear in the 19th edition of our quarterly publication.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 28, 2024
US invests $31m to advance renewable geothermal energy

[ad_1]

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of up to $31m to support six innovative renewable geothermal energy projects across the country.

These initiatives aim to advance enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and explore new methods of energy storage, aligning with the US’ broader goals of reducing emissions and bolstering the clean energy sector.

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm emphasised the significance of the initiative: “Expanding the use of new and innovative geothermal technologies will allow the United States to continue pushing forward into the frontier of the clean energy revolution by using the heat beneath our feet.”

Revolutionising geothermal energy

Currently, geothermal energy contributes around four gigawatts to the US electricity grid. However, the DOE estimates that the expansion of EGS could unlock up to 90 gigawatts of reliable, flexible power by 2050, enough to supply energy to over 65 million American homes.

EGS technology involves creating artificial underground reservoirs to extract heat from the Earth’s subsurface, which can then be converted into electricity.

While geothermal heat is abundant, many locations lack the natural water or fluid flow needed to recover this energy efficiently. EGS addresses this issue by enabling the extraction of heat in areas where traditional geothermal methods are not feasible.

Another key focus of the DOE’s funding is the development of reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) technology.

Unlike conventional batteries that store electrical energy, RTES stores heat energy directly in underground reservoirs, offering a valuable solution for industries that require high amounts of thermal energy, such as chemical production and food processing.

Overview of selected projects

The DOE has allocated $4.88m to Clemson University in South Carolina for the development of an AI-powered photoacoustic imaging tool. This tool will be used for high-temperature and high-pressure well logging, assessing geothermal well integrity without the need for active cooling.

In Houston, Texas, Innovative Downhole Solutions Inc. received $2.51m to create a durable ultrasonic measurement tool. This tool is designed to operate continuously for 24 hours in high-temperature geothermal environments, evaluating wellbore construction materials and practices.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California has been awarded $2.02m to develop a tool specifically for evaluating geothermal borehole integrity. This tool is engineered to function in extreme conditions without relying on downhole electronics.

Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has secured $3.67m to create a high-resolution acoustics-based tool. This tool will deliver precise data for assessing the components of EGS under extreme conditions.

Schlumberger Technology Corporation in Houston, Texas, was granted $10m to develop a wireline tractor-conveyed system. This system will focus on long-term integrity modelling of cement and casing in geothermal wells.

Finally, Project Development Solutions, Inc. in Bakersfield, California, received $7.9m to pilot an RTES demonstration project at the Kern Front Oil Field. This project will pair subsurface geothermal reservoirs with a steam system and process heat off-taker.

The advantages of renewable geothermal energy

Renewable geothermal energy offers several significant advantages as a renewable energy source. Unlike solar or wind energy, which depend on weather conditions, geothermal energy provides a consistent and reliable power supply.

It also requires less land and water compared to other energy sources and emits very low levels of greenhouse gases, making it an environmentally friendly option.

By investing in geothermal technologies, the US is making strides towards its clean energy goals while also enhancing energy security and creating economic opportunities.

The DOE’s recent investments in EGS and RTES underscore the nation’s commitment to leveraging renewable geothermal energy as a key component in the fight against climate change and the push for sustainable innovation in the energy sector.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 27, 2024
Connecting Canadian advanced mining technologies with global opportunities

[ad_1]

MICA is addressing the critical need to secure global resources for the future by enabling the implementation of advanced mining technologies to drive progress.

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) has developed a programme and a network aimed at tackling the existential opportunity of securing global resources for the future. The Mining Innovation Commercialisation Accelerator (MICA), funded by industry and the Government of Canada from 2021-2026, brings together stakeholders from across the mining industry, academia, and government to foster the development and adoption of cutting-edge mining technologies that will advance progress in sustainability and efficiency.

The Innovation Platform spoke with CEMI Vice President of Business Development and MICA Network Director Chamirai Charles Nyabeze to learn more about MICA and the platform’s comprehensive approach to creating global opportunities for Canadian-made technologies.

What are the challenges for promoting Canadian technologies to the global mining marketplace?

One of the challenges of promoting Canadian technologies is accessing global mining markets. It is difficult to identify opportunities and gain visibility because mines are often located in remote areas, requiring venturing off the beaten path to reach them.

The lack of technology support infrastructure in host countries can hinder the success and continuity of Canadian technologies. Winning a project at a global destination is one thing, but ensuring ongoing support for technology is equally important. Some Canadian companies lack experience in economic development and expertise in operating in global locations, which makes these projects even more daunting.

Additionally, Canadians tend to be more cautious about taking risks. Political risk in certain areas can make it challenging to do business, and we are cautious about investing in high-risk countries, even though they may offer significant opportunities.

What are the opportunities for Canadian technologies in international markets?

The global community is increasingly moving towards greener practices. The Canadian brand is recognised globally, in part due to our strong sense of social responsibility. Canada has a strong reputation for producing high-quality, sustainable goods, and we anticipate a rise in demand for our solutions as a result.

Furthermore, Canada boasts comprehensive expertise in various forms of mining, including open-pit and underground mining, as well as a diverse range of minerals and metals – from coal, uranium, and oil sands to cobalt, nickel, copper, and precious metals like gold and diamonds.

Canada has a diverse mining sector, which means that the technologies developed here can be applied to various types of mining operations. Given Canada’s active mining sector, these technologies have undergone rigorous testing and proven success, establishing a solid track record.

As the global demand for cleaner and greener mining practices grows, Canada stands at the forefront with a wealth of technologies, particularly through our Mining Innovation Commercialisation Accelerator (MICA). These technologies are designed to enhance mining efficiency, environmental conscientiousness, productivity, and safety.

Moreover, mining technology plays a pivotal role in securing the social licence to operate by instilling confidence in the communities that mining activities will be conducted responsibly to avoid any potential disasters.

How is MICA different from other organisations promoting Canadian mining technologies?

The MICA is a national network based in Canada with a global reach that aims to support innovation in the mining industry and expedite the commercialisation of mining technologies. Our ultimate objective is to make a significant impact by addressing the essential needs of a resource-driven world.

MICA’s approach is comprehensive, encompassing all mineral and metal types. It involves addressing various stages of mining, from prospecting to rehabilitation, making it distinct as a membership-based organisation that encompasses the full spectrum of mining technologies.

MICA is tailored to be a meeting place for innovators and consumers of innovation. On the innovator side, MICA mostly engages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the supply service sector. On the consumers of innovation, MICA engages mine operators and technology integrators. Our membership structure fosters more of a discussion-based approach, with our members seeking our support in regard to funding and commercial services. Connecting innovators to opportunities to commercialise their solutions is a community sport that engages various stakeholders across the entire mining value and supply chain.

Our global outreach approach sets us apart. We have invested in 50 innovative technology projects spanning the entire mining process, from prospecting to mine closure and asset rehabilitation.

Currently, we are in the process of establishing an international network of organisations dedicated to advancing the mining industry. This network includes creating pathways to leverage globally relevant funding programmes like New Horizon and Eureka. As part of this, MICA has enlisted the expertise of a global outreach team that includes boots-on-the-ground business development resources in South Africa to support outreach in emerging markets.

The Canadian government has endorsed MICA to support transformative technologies for the mining industry. The aim is to serve Canadian mining needs and create global opportunities for Canadian-made technologies. MICA is, therefore, positioned to directly impact Canada’s GDP.

© shutterstock/Darunrat Wongsuvan

In addition to funding, we are deeply committed to nurturing and guiding projects. We accompany and support projects throughout their journey to becoming commercially viable. Our focus lies in pioneering cutting-edge mining technologies that have not yet gained traction rather than only endorsing existing proven solutions. MICA aims to champion demonstration projects and establish proof of concepts in environments mirroring real-world conditions. This, we believe, is the catalyst for technology adoption and integration into business systems.

MICA stands to be the definitive globally relevant one-stop-shop for accessing emerging technologies spanning the entire mining cycle.

What specific initiatives or programmes can MICA implement to effectively connect Canadian technology companies with potential international partners?

MICA has appointed a dedicated full-time global outreach director to facilitate the expansion of international markets for various Canadian technologies. Our strategy involves identifying ecosystem-level organisations in foreign jurisdictions and establishing connections with them. This approach is mutually beneficial for both Canadian cities and the countries hosting mines with natural resources. It is crucial for us to honour the national interests of the countries to which we introduce our mining technologies and ensure that resources are extracted sustainably and respectfully.

Fundamentally, our approach aims to integrate Canadian technologies with the local ecosystem and contribute to the creation of new jobs and skillsets in those countries.

As part of our global outreach, we conduct missions to introduce Canadian technologies to specific locations and engage with local stakeholders. In Europe, there are funding programmes such as Horizon Europe that we can use to develop and customise technologies further. Thanks to MICA’s global outreach strategy, we are able to leverage these programmes to create solutions tailored to the specific needs of different areas.

Through this work, MICA will foster international collaboration, build strong partnerships, conduct business ethically and respectfully, and empower local communities and businesses in host nations.

Another significant focus area is mobilising private capital. We are introducing the first-of-its-kind Canadian Mining Innovation Venture Fund. This will attract funding from family investment groups, private equity firms, and individual investors. It will also appeal to mining operators who are looking to invest their capital. Through this fund, MICA hopes to reduce our reliance on government funding and become a more self-sustaining platform.

How can MICA showcase successful case studies of Canadian technology adoption in international markets?

Ultimately, people cannot buy what they don’t know exists. The mining industry values practical demonstrations. While others may label us as risk-averse, the reality is that we are simply cautious and methodical. The process of introducing new ideas can be lengthy, sometimes taking decades to adequately showcase new technologies and test performance.

It is crucial to consider market input in technology development to maximise adoption, and MICA is committed to ensuring that Canadian technologies are driven by international market demands.

MICA encourages collaboration and welcomes input. Recently, we welcomed suggestions to advance mining in specific areas identified for improvement. These include: energy, the environment, productivity, and digital smart autonomous mining systems.

Part of our funding is specifically designated to encourage technologies housed within MICA to showcase their products abroad and gain valuable feedback for further development. We participate in conferences, events, and workshops to showcase these technologies, providing accompanying fact sheets and videos to communicate their stories effectively. For example, in October, we will host a Canada-Chile Innovation Summit to display ten Canadian technologies and engage in discussions with partners in Chile.

Additionally, we are focusing on organising micro-events, having so far hosted over 100 events in Canada and around 150 events worldwide. Our objective is to encourage technological advancements and cultivate a culture of progress within the mining industry using advertising and platforms like LinkedIn. Establishing strong relationships is crucial. Successful business operations depend on partnerships and meaningful conversations, which in turn facilitate the access of Canadian technologies to international markets.

What metrics or benchmarks can MICA use to measure its success in promoting Canadian technology and establishing itself as the industry leader?

MICA’s success can be measured in numbers. We have supported 50 projects, identified 296 potential technology projects, and secured $640m that can be mobilised to support innovation in these projects.

Presently, we have over 100 members, encompassing innovators, mining operators, junior mining companies, and associates – organisations providing complementary innovation support services. Among them, MICA boasts seven mining company members, including Glencore, Vale, Teck Resources, BHP, Nutrien, IAMGOLD, and New Gold, each representing distinct aspects of the mining industry.

Nothing happens without a team. Dedicated, excited individuals are necessary to encourage real impact and wave the flag of mining innovation. Retaining this team is equally important for MICA in measuring its success. The team at MICA is passionate about its work and aspires to lead the global industry with exceptional standards. Our work intends to simplify and demystify the process of finding innovations that elevate the mining sector, striving to reshape the perception of mining into a positive one that attracts young talent to the industry.

MICA’s vision for a sustainable mining future

Through the utilisation of various technologies and a shared passion for accelerating innovation in mining, we are witnessing a remarkably promising future for the industry. Leading this initiative, MICA aims to serve as a pivotal global hub, fostering and supporting mining innovation.

As we move forward, MICA is committed to advancing environmental stewardship and providing exceptional service by bridging the gap between the global community and cutting-edge technology initiatives. Our objective is to boost funding from $40m to over $100m to enhance mining practices and contribute to the realisation of a low-carbon economy. Emphasising the circularity of resources, particularly critical minerals, is integral to MICA’s vision for a sustainable, eco-friendly future.

Over the remaining project timeline, MICA aims to develop technologies that support circularity across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of critical minerals exploration. Technological progress is vital in adapting to climate change and fostering a better world for all.

Consider the profound impact of enhancing the global mining industry. As mining progresses, all related aspects, including its values and supply chains, also advance. The effect of this seemingly minor change on the world cannot be overstated.

Please note, this article will also appear in the 19th edition of our quarterly publication.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 27, 2024