T&I R&D currently funds 11 energy R&D programs. Read on for brief program descriptions.
Bitumen and Heavy Oil – This program conducts R&D in bitumen and heavy oil production, upgrading, and refining. It aims to develop technologies that will result in lower greenhouse (GHG) emissions from such production. Activities focus mainly on: conventional heavy oil; in-situ bitumen recovery; mining-based bitumen recovery; and upgrading and refining.
Unconventional Gas Supply – This program conducts R&D to reduce technological and regulatory barriers in the production of natural gas from unconventional and frontier reservoirs. It also aims to develop technologies to reduce GHG emissions from such production while, at the same time, making it more cost-effective. Activities focus mainly on: coal-bed methane; frontier gas in the north and offshore; and natural gas hydrates.
Clean Coal and CO2 Capture and Storage – This program conducts R&D to develop technologies for the reduction of GHG emissions via more efficient coal combustion as well as the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). Activities focus mainly on: treatment of post-combustion flue gases; combustion processes; and monitoring and analysis of CO2 capture, transport and storage methods.
Buildings and Communities Energy Technology – This program supports reduced GHG emissions through the development of building and community energy technologies that revolutionize how energy is used in new and existing buildings, neighbourhoods and within entire communities. Activities focus mainly on: design and re-engineering; building envelopes and structural elements; and energy systems, e.g. heating, cooling, ventilation.
Industry – This program supports reduced GHG emissions by conducting R&D to improve the energy efficiency of industry in Canada. Activities focus mainly on: advanced industrial combustion; sensors and controls; process integration – through new systematic modeling methodologies and visualization tools, novel conversion technologies; novel separation technologies; and the transport of fluid materials.
Transportation – This program supports reduced GHG emissions through better knowledge and the development of technologies to improve the energy efficiency of Canada´s transportation systems. Activities focus mainly on: vehicle technologies and materials; engine and powertrain technologies; fuels and fuel storage; transportation systems; and codes and standards.
Decentralized Energy Production – This program supports S&T activities to enable the adoption of decentralized energy production systems by 2025. These systems will increase the reliability, reduce the GHG and air emissions intensity of Canada's electric power system at an economic cost acceptable to Canadian society. Activities focus mainly on: new or revised codes and standards to reduce institutional barriers; grid integration and storage of intermittent renewable power; renewable technologies (especially wind, low-head hydro, photovoltaics and wave); and more efficient fossil fuel technologies.
Biotechnology – This program supports R&D to increase biomass-derived energy and/or develop long-term solutions for GHG reduction. Activities focus mainly on: conversion of waste to bio-based gases; conversion of cellulosic materials into ethanol; more energy-efficient enzymes for separating natural fibres into valuable components; biomass conversion to heat and power; and combined heat and power technologies.
Hydrogen Economy – This program conducts R&D to reduce GHG and other air emissions while increasing energy efficiency and generating wealth through a sustainable and competitive hydrogen economy. Activities focus mainly on: hydrogen production, storage and use, and codes and standards.
Integrated Applications – R&D projects which fall into two or more groups are termed ‘integrated applications´. This program encourages the support of integrated applications which:
- address a significant research gap that would otherwise be missed;
- support the overall research direction of the program;
- encourage synergies between groups; and
- meet all T&I criteria of GHG impact, partnerships, leverage and dissemination.
Technology to Market – This program was established to improve the commercialization process from federal R&D onward. It funds market studies to analyse the domestic market potential and expected barriers to uptake or technology transfer. A market studies support structure provides researchers with a resource kit including market assessment tools, standardized GHG estimation methods and help with dissemination (link to T2M website). The program will also evaluate whether technologies are ready for hand-off to demonstration and deployment programs managed by other departments and agencies, or directly to industry. Federal policy and R&D communities will use this information to improve their strategic planning.