TEAM Approach
TEAM plays a key strategic role in the technology innovation process. By supporting late stage development and first demonstration of GHG reducing technologies, TEAM enables the federal government to support a wide range of technology options and pathways towards the reduction of GHGs.
Strategic Partnership
Most companies that develop new technologies find that much needed funding and technical assistance is scarce when preparing to bring a new technology to market following the end of research and development (R&D) activities. Without such funding and assistance, a valuable, innovative technology may never become a business reality. TEAM acts as an important strategic partner during this period, helping to create a platform for ongoing success. For example, many companies that have been involved in TEAM partnerships have subsequently received further private and public financing or have commercially replicated their technology in the marketplace.
Demonstration Focus
TEAM has successfully harnessed the long-term R&D efforts of various federal departments to focus on the mitigation of climate change. Major private investments in companies that have collaborated with this R&D direction show that TEAM efforts have helped to create a business environment that will ultimately lead to the commercial success of the technologies and companies involved.
International Development
TEAM has demonstrated that the best opportunities for benefiting from new technologies in international development require sharing the R&D risk among business and government partners in developed and developing companies. For example, this approach has been a key factor in the successful implementation of TEAM small hydro projects in Nepal, Poland, and China.
Communities
Communities benefit from new technologies when they share risk in technology demonstration. For example, the Sudbury district energy project pioneered the combination of district heating with electrical power grid interconnection. The Toronto deep lake cooling project provides a significant alternative to conventional cooling systems in a major urban core.
Eco-efficiency Innovation
Both new and improved programs for measuring GHG reduction have resulted from TEAM involvement. TEAM financed and assisted in the implementation of an eco-efficiency innovation program pilot with the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement. The program assisted small and medium-sized enterprises to optimize plant processes and reduce energy, materials, and water usage. The pilot program eventually led to a national energy efficiency program, under NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency. Another new pilot project in cooperation with the Alberta Government, through CETAC West in Calgary, involves integrated energy and environmental efficiency audits, demonstrations of new technologies, and the study of performance indicators in the oil and gas sector. The first demonstration has already led to implementation of significant energy efficiency savings at a British Petroleum gas plant in Alberta, and has proven the gains to be made in GHG reductions in the oil and gas sector.