New NSERC Chair in Environmental Design Engineering at UNB Will Work on Wind and Solar Energy Solutions

Fredericton, New Brunswick, March 6, 2002 – Andy Scott, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), today announced the new NSERC Chair in Environmental Design Engineering at the University of New Brunswick. NSERC is providing $1 million over five years, with the University of New Brunswick contributing a further $550,000. The New Brunswick Power Company and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are also providing an additional $50,000 each.

"Innovation is about turning ideas and knowledge into new products, new services, and new ways of doing things," said Maurizio Bevilacqua, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development). "It's not just about high technology and research labs. It's about changing and improving the way Canadians live, work and learn."

"The federal government strongly supports environmental innovation," said Andy Scott. "The partnership between the University of New Brunswick, NRCan and some of our regional companies is the way to go because it brings new ideas forward – and faster – so that they can be of benefit to everyone."

Dr. Liuchen Chang, who created the first Canadian test facility for wind and solar energy conversion systems, is the new chairholder. "We will initially focus on improving wind, solar and hydro systems by introducing innovative electronic converters that boost the existing capacity of these 'green technologies' to deliver more power than ever," he said. "The great benefit of these systems is that their greenhouse emissions are almost zero."

"This chair will also promote collaboration among Canadian researchers working in renewable energy," said Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC. "This is a field that NSERC and the University of New Brunswick are keen to stimulate, and Dr. Chang is an ideal choice for leader of this important program."

NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

On February 12, 2002, the Government of Canada launched Canada's Innovation Strategy, two papers that lay out a plan to address skills and innovation challenges for the next decade. The paper released by Minister Rock was entitled Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity. It proposes goals, targets and priorities for Canada over the next decade to: create knowledge and bring ideas to market more quickly; ensure a skilled workforce in the new economy; modernize business and regulatory policies while protecting the public interest; and strengthen communities by supporting innovation at the local level. Today's announcement supports this strategy.

For more information about Canada's Innovation Strategy or to obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, please call 1-800-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca.

For further information, contact:

Francis Lionnet
NSERC Communications
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
Fax: (613) 943-0742
E-mail: fzl@nserc.ca

Sandra Howland
Media Relations
University of New Brunswick
Tel.: (506) 458-7968
E-mail: showland@unb.ca