Government of Canada Invests in Clean Energy TechnologyMISSISSAUGA, Ontario, August 17, 2005 — The Honourable Gurbax Malhi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Member of Parliament for Bramalea–Gore–Malton, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a $2.3 million investment to develop innovative greenhouse gas and waste reduction technology.
This Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investment is part of a $6.9 million research and development project being undertaken by Mississauga's Magellan Aerospace Corporation to develop bio-fuel powered industrial gas turbine engines.
"This Canadian developed "green technology" is a positive step towards meeting our climate change objectives," said Minister Emerson. "By supporting this type of innovative technology, we are reaffirming the Government of Canada's commitment to safeguard our natural environment and build more sustainable communities."
"Addressing environmental issues as complex as climate change presents both an important challenge and an exciting opportunity," added Gurbax Malhi. "This partnership will help maintain Canada's early leadership in this sub-sector of the economy and supports several other Government of Canada investments in green, distributed power technologies."
This investment will allow Magellan to broaden the sources of biomass feedstocks for the production of electrical energy, while providing a disposal solution to customers who currently produce large quantities of biomass waste. A compelling case for producing power through distributed generation exists where biomass is available and/or the cost of electricity is high.
Research and development activities are anticipated to produce a more flexible biomass conversion system while dramatically improving the power output, efficiency, and emissions levels of existing pyrolysis-based fuels burning turbine systems.
This project will also position Magellan to diversify beyond its traditional markets by further expanding into new industrial applications, such as heat and electricity cogeneration.
Technology Partnerships Canada is a key instrument for advancing research and development toward commercialization. Working in partnership with innovative companies across Canada, TPC shares in the cost of private sector technology development projects in aerospace and defence, in environmental technologies, in enabling technologies such as biotechnology, and in information and communications technologies.
For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry Canada
(613) 995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502
The news release and other documents are available on the Technology Partnerships Canada Web site at http://tpc.ic.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Investment with Magellan Aerospace Corporation
Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is making a strategic investment in the development of greenhouse gas and waste reduction technology. Through this $2.3 million investment, Magellan Aerospace Corporation will proceed with the enhancement of biomass powered energy system solutions.
TPC's participation will allow Magellan to expand on the application potential and commercial prospects of previous research and development on their bio-oil powered turbine engine. By leveraging the work completed to date, it plans to expand the range of potential liquid and gaseous bio-fuel sources and improve turbine operating characteristics.
Magellan is the first company in the world to successfully burn liquid bio-oil in a commercial-scale industrial gas turbine powered electrical generator. This initiative will not only broaden the sources of potential biomass feedstocks, but also provide a disposal solution for customers who currently produce large quantities of biomass waste. Magellan's proposed approach will adapt the turbine to allow it to be powered by a broad range of bio-fuels derived from: biomass gasification, liquid pyrolysis fuels, non-edible oils, animal fats, and external burning.
Among the potential benefits of this project is a commercially viable solution for biomass-based energy derived from a variety of agricultural and other biomass waste. This technology also holds the potential for a significant contribution towards a sustainable energy solution for developing nations, all of which possess biomass resources, but few of which actually produce conventional petroleum or natural gas. These advantages are expected to encourage and expedite widespread commercial introduction. There is a compelling case for producing power using locally available waste streams, particularly in markets where the cost of electricity is high and biomass is readily available.
The market for distributed power technologies is forecasted to grow strongly over the coming decades. TPC's contribution to this project provides support for a Canadian technology with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable development. Through development of innovative technologies that deliver clean energy sources, this project will contribute greatly towards the Government of Canada's commitment to the deployment of "green technologies".
Magellan Aerospace Corporation designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, and complementary specialty products.
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