City of Surrey clean energy. sector profile

Transcription

1 City of Surrey clean energy sector profile [ 1 ]

2 OVERVIEW British Columbia s thriving clean energy sector has a significant impact on the provincial economy. A profile of British Columbia s Sustainable Technology Sector estimates the province is home to approximately 1300 companies generating revenues of $1.9 billion and employing 18,000 people with 69% of companies operating in Metro Vancouver. The BC Advanced Energy Asset Map reports approximately 90 clean energy companies in BC, generating revenues of $750 million and employing about 3,000 people. With key assets located in Surrey, and an incentive package targeted to clean energy companies, the City is well-positioned to leverage BC s success to develop its own clean energy hub. Powertech is very proud to call Surrey our home. Our community has all of the ingredients necessary to grow a successful business, including a great qualify of life to attract and retain top talent. We look forward to playing a key role in developing a clean energy hub for the City of Surrey. Eamonn Percy President and CEO Powertech Labs What s inside overview... 2 Clean energy companies... 4 education... 7 SECTOR SPECIFIC SUPPORT...11 [ 2 ]

3 surrey overview Surrey is home to a number of clean energy companies, including the high-profile Powertech Labs, a subsidiary of BC Hydro that specializes in clean energy consulting, testing and power solutions for domestic and international clients. Simon Fraser University Surrey s School of Engineering is generating leading-edge research in clean energy technologies, including: microfuel cells, heat-exchangers, energy harvesting and injector technology for clean fuels such as hydrogen. To capitalize on these assets, the City has partnered with Powertech Labs and SFU Surrey to work together on specific projects that advance sustainability in Surrey through clean energy initiatives. Specifically the partners will work together on: Developing and implementing the SFU Energy Systems Engineering Programs; Targeting clean energy signature programs in Surrey; Creating a clean technology company incubation centre at Powertech; and Developing a clean energy hub in Surrey. The 2010 Phase II Economic Investment Action Plan outlines incentives that will catalyze development of a clean energy hub in the City. Clean energy companies choosing to locate in Surrey will pay no property taxes for 3 years, have building permit fees reduced by 50% for the construction of company premises and have the business license fee reduced to $1 for the first three years of operation. The City demonstrates its willingness to embrace sustainable thinking and show leadership through municipal policy and City-led projects. Notable initiatives include: A Corporate Energy and Emissions Plan under development that will outline targets, strategies and actions to assist the City in reducing the carbon footprint of its operations. The Action Plan will consider carbon offset opportunities as part of the City s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2012; A business and technical feasibility study has confirmed the viability for a District Energy System in the City Centre. The City is now further refining servicing and energy options for a District Energy System in the City Centre in preparation for detailed design and construction; A new biofuel facility will convert the City s green and food waste to biofuel, which will be used to power the City s waste collection vehicles; and Integration of natural gas, electric and hybrid vehicles into the City s fleet. [ 3 ]

4 clean energy companies Surrey s budding clean energy sector is POWERTECH Labs anchored by Powertech Labs and is home to leading companies specializing in wind Powertech Labs is a clean energy subsidiary of BC power, building energy management and biomass fuelled energy systems. Hydro which focuses on clean energy consulting, testing, and power solutions for the global electrical utility asset, smart grid and power systems, clean transportation, and distributed clean power markets. Employing 130 people, Powertech s facilities are comprised of 21 advanced performance testing laboratories, including world-class high power and high voltage testing laboratories and a hydrogen technology centre. The company s areas of focus include: Asset Management: utility asset management; utility equipment testing; high power, current and voltage testing; and non-destructive testing Clean Transportation: hydrogen fueling and hybrid electric vehicles infrastructure; vehicle system and pressure testing; and energy storage Distributed Clean Power: remote community energy planning; community distributed clean power systems engineering; and small scale renewable generation systems testing and performance monitoring Smart Utilities: smart grids; power system consulting and studies; and power system analysis software [ 4 ]

5 POWERTECH CASE STUDies: Hydrogen Assisted Renewable Power (HARP) Project Bella Coola, British Columbia The town of Bella Coola, British Columbia, will soon be the site of a state-of-the-art energy system that will demonstrate a clean power solution for remote communities. The HARP project is a partnership between Powertech, BC Hydro and General Electric (GE). Bella Coola, which is 439 kilometres north of Vancouver, is not connected to BC Hydro s grid. Currently, the town is powered by diesel generators, which emit greenhouse gases, and by a run-of-river facility which, while clean, is not capable of storing energy. This peak power shaving system works by converting electricity from a renewable source (run-of-river), in off peak periods, into hydrogen through an electrolyzer, and subsequently into electricity through a fuel cell for power during periods of peak demand. The system will reduce Bella Coola s annual diesel consumption by 200,000 litres lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 600 tonnes annually, and provide storage for run-of-river power. Fuelling Equipment for Fuel-Cell Powered Forklifts Powertech has signed a strategic alliance with Praxair, Inc. and Praxair Canada. The companies will market and sell Praxair s hydrogen together with Powertech s hydrogen fueling equipment to materials handling customers, specifically to distribution centers for hydrogen fuel-cell powered forklifts. The alliance between Praxair and Powertech brings North America s largest hydrogen producer together with a leader in innovative hydrogen fueling systems resulting in reliable, cost-effective hydrogen fuelling to fill a growing need. In 2002 Powertech designed and built the world s first 700-bar fast-fill hydrogen fuelling station, and has since designed, built and installed a host of increasingly innovative and technically advanced mobile and permanent high-pressure vehicle fuelling systems. [ 5 ]

6 clean energy companies Endurance Wind Power Endurance Wind Power is a manufacturer of advanced wind turbines designed specifically for distributed wind power applications, including residential, agricultural, commercial, institutional and industrial. The 25 person company manufactures small wind turbines for applications requiring 10,000 to 25,000 kwh of electricity annually such as residences, small farms and wind power demonstration and training applications. Endurance also produces larger wind turbines for applications requiring between 125, ,000+ kwh of electricity such as larger farms, irrigation pivots, schools, hospitals and manufacturing and fabrication companies. Delta Controls Inc. Delta Controls Inc. develops and manufacturers BACnet building automation systems that integrate HVAC, lighting and access systems. Delta s building automation control products improve energy performance in commercial, retail and government buildings; manufacturing, transportation, sports and entertainment facilities; schools, universities and hotels. The company s research and development team designs hardware and software products which are interfaced through user friendly formats. The 180 employee company exports its product to over 40 countries, and is recognized as the largest independent controls manufacturer in North America. Embedded Automation Embedded Automation designs, manufactures, and markets solutions for Digital Home. Customers worldwide use the company s products to monitor and control Energy Management, Security/Surveillance and Digital Media Integration devices. Embedded Automation provided the energy management and controls infrastructure for the SFU West House. Showcased at the LiveCity Yaletown site during the 2010 Winter Olympics, SFU West House will become a permanent research site for investigating leading edge clean energy, green building and smart home control technologies. Wellons Canada Wellons Canada, located in the Port Kells industrial park, specializes in the design, fabrication and installation of biomass fired green thermal energy systems that replace fossil fuel consumption and reduce carbon footprints. Wellons Canada energy systems transform wood biomass residuals into useable thermal energy in the form of hot water, thermal fluids or steam. Wellons green energy systems are used in district/community heating systems; sawmills and engineered board facilities; greenhouse facilities; and in electrical generation or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) operations. Wellons turnkey project solutions include emission control equipment that meets EPA MACT compliance, and the more strenuous Metro Vancouver clean air regulations. [ 6 ]

7 education Two local universities provide a foundation SFU SURREY for clean energy sector growth. Simon Mechatronics Systems Engineering SFU Surrey recognizes the strategic opportunity to develop a hub for sustainable energy technology created by a shifting energy paradigm defined by climate change, declining hydrocarbon resources and a global demand for affordable sustainable energy. program and School of Interactive Arts To this end, SFU plans to: + Technology. Kwantlen Polytechnic Develop research, graduate and undergraduates programs in Energy Systems Engineering; Fraser University Surrey is conducting leading-edge research in its innovative University was an early-adopter of green building technology, constructing the City s first certified LEED Gold building. Simon Fraser University Surrey and Create a technology transfer and commercialization centre; and Partner with the City of Surrey to develop and implement sustainable energy as a key element of the City s development plan. Kwantlen Polytechnic University have partnered with the City to create a business incubator area that will support start-up and early-stage companies, as well as focus on the development and commercialization of specialized local knowledge, skills and technology. [ 7 ]

8 education MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING The interdisciplinary Mechatronics Systems Engineering (MSE) program offered by SFU Surrey is one of only two such programs in North America. Mechatronics is the integration of mechanical, electronic, software and computer engineering for the development of advanced electromechanical products and systems for a wide range of industrial applications. Such products and systems are an integral part of the emerging developments in green energy technology, biomedical engineering, advanced design and manufacturing to allow for sensing, diagnostic and autonomous processing capabilities. Examples of mechatronics devices vary from surgical robots to consumer products such as digital cameras that integrate advanced technology concepts in engineering and computing science to provide versatile user interfaces, intelligence and precision. Current research themes at MSE include: energy systems, electromechanical design, intelligent systems and bi/micro-mechatronics. This industryfocused program also blends business concepts with engineering training by offering effective communication and business of engineering courses, as well as requiring 3 mandatory co-operative education terms for students at the undergraduate level. MECHATRONICS CASE STUDY: Air-Cooled Fuel Systems Dr. Erik Kjeang is working with technical experts from Ballard Power Systems to enhance the performance of air-cooled fuel cell systems by implementing advanced thermal management methods. Innovative stack cooling strategies with inspiration from air-cooled heat exchangers and microelectronics cooling techniques will be evaluated to increase the heat rejection capacity of the stack. The proposed research also aims to develop fundamental modeling tools to aid fuel cell developers such as Ballard in the design of stack and cell architectures with improved performance, and to reduce the cost and resources required for future cell development activities. MECHATRONICS CASE STUDY: Piezoelectric Actuators for Hydrogen Fuel Injectors Dr. Nimal Rajapakse and Dr. Majid Bahrami are working with Westport Innovation Inc. to design the next generation of fuel injectors for hydrogen-based vehicles and power generators. Piezo actuator-based hydrogen injectors can provide superior injection accuracy and control. At present, there is very limited understanding of the performance and durability of piezo actuators in a hydrogen environment. This project is therefore aimed at filling this knowledge gap by examining the key research issues related to the performance of piezo actuators exposed to hydrogen. The findings of this project would provide Canadian clean engine technology developers with strategies to improve their technology and become more competitive in the global market. [ 8 ]

9 SCHOOL OF INTERACTIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY The School of Interactive Arts + Technology (SIAT) has delivered unique interfaces that facilitate human interaction with clean energy technology. SIAT is an interdisciplinary research focused school where technologists, artists, designers and theorists collaborate in innovative research and immersive study. A SIAT degree in Interactive Arts and Technology prepares students to play a leading role in the conception of new media and the design of inventive technologies. A SIAT education combines the science of human experience, the analysis of media and culture, the creation of original and experimental works of art, and the implementation of new technologies. Students bring these resources to bear on the most vital and innovative sectors of the economy, building the technologies and experiences that increasingly shape our lives. SIAT CASE STUDY: West House - The SFU Sustainable Laneway Home West House is a demonstration of a sustainable laneway home. It showcases leading-edge small footprint residential design, energy efficient, integrated systems and interactive technologies that encourages occupants to make energy conscious decision in their homes, as well increase efficiency through improved control systems. The SFU contingent from SIAT designed and built the user interfaces, the web system and the mobile application for the control and visualization systems in the house. The result of a partnership between government, academia and industry, West House was on display during the Olympic Games at the Vancouver Yaletown LiveCity Site and will be moved afterwards to a City of Vancouver owned site where it will serve as a technology showcase, research and development test bed, and living lab. [ 9 ]

10 education KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability exemplified by an early adoption of green building practices with Surrey s first LEED Gold building, the Cloverdale Campus. Kwantlen is one of only two post-secondary institutions in BC to receive the BC Power Smart Leader in 2008 and 2009, and the only institution to ever receive the prestigious Excellence in Energy Management Award. The Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, under the leadership of Leading Edge Endowment Fund Chair Dr. Deborah Henderson, is developing unique clean energy expertise. The Institute s greenhouses draw power from a geothermal energy system, while researchers are working on a novel biodigestion system that uses methane recovered from green waste to power the greenhouses operation. [ 10 ] Kwantlen Polytechnic University Case Study: KPU Cloverdale Campus Kwantlen s LEED Gold Cloverdale Campus (formerly the Cloverdale Trades and Technology Centre) contains 21 shops and 27 classrooms/labs, with additional space dedicated to computer labs, student services, bookstore, cafeteria, study lounges and library. The Centre accommodates up to 900 students. The placement and positioning of the Centre optimizes the energy performance of the campus by allowing more natural light to provide improved learning and working environments while saving on energy. The campus optimizes the use of daylight in seventy-five per cent of its spaces and is utitilizing green power electricity sources such as wind, small hydro, biomass and photovoltaic solar walls that contribute to the building s energy supply. The Centre features watersaving technologies (low-flow toilets, waterless urinals and sensor-controlled faucets), that use about thirty per cent less water than a new building with standard systems and equipment. Fifty per cent of the building materials were manufactured locally, supporting the local economy and reducing environmental impacts resulting from transportation.

11 Clean Energy SECTOR SPECIFIC SUPPORT The National Research Council (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC- IRAP) provides technical and business-oriented advisory services along with potential financial support to growthoriented small and medium sized businesses. The program relies on an extensive network of professionals across the country working directly with clients supporting innovative research and the development and commercialization of new products. The program has contributed more than $570 million to more than 30,000 projects. In more than approximately $13 million was available to firms in BC. The BC Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund was created in 2007 to encourage the development of new sources of clean energy and technologies. The Fund supports pre-commercial energy technologies and demonstrates the commercial viability of new energy technologies. Two calls for application to the ICE Fund have resulted in ICE Fund contributions of about $47 million to 34 projects in communities across B.C. These projects represent a total value of over $174 million and showcase a variety of clean energy technologies including solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, ocean wave and bioenergy. Two additional projects were recently approved under the Third 2010 Showcase call for applications representing $6.6 million in ICE Fund contributions. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program is a federal tax incentive designed to encourage research and development in Canada. Qualifying non-canadian companies are eligible to receive tax credits of 20 per cent of qualified expenditures. Canadian companies receive enhanced credits. The BC government adds a ten per cent credit for qualifying Canadian and non- Canadian corporations that conduct R&D in BC. British Columbia offers tax credits of 30 per cent to qualified resident investors who provide venture capital to small businesses conducting R&D on proprietary technologies and developing interactive digital media products. Investment must be made through a venture corporation or directly to an eligible business corporation. Early-stage ventures are also eligible for support from the BC government s $90 million BC Renaissance Capital Fund. The International Financial Centre BC is a nonprofit society with a mandate to promote international financial activity in BC. It is tasked with the job of reaching out to professionals in the business community and communicating the tax advantages available to companies under the International Financial Activities Act. In 2008, intellectual property activities were expanded to include patents related to power generation using renewable resources such as wind, solar and tidal. Qualifying corporations moving to BC are eligible for an 11% refund of BC corporate taxes paid on income and non-residents transferred to BC. British Columbia s Leadership on Sustainability British Columbia has demonstrated leadership, putting forward a vision to make British Columbia energy self-sufficient and a global leader in environmental and climate matters. The Provincial Government has implemented the following measures to achieve this vision: A Clean Energy Act that encourages provincial energy selfsufficiency, independent power production and reductions in greenhouse gases. A $95 million Renaissance Fund to stimulate investment in critical technology sectors in the province, including clean technologies. The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions with $95 million in funding to bring leading scientists and experts from around the world to meet the challenge of climate change. [ 11 ]

12 ECO-AUDIT Environmental Benefits of Using this Recycled Paper Mohawk Options 100PC White paper is made with 100% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free using wind power. We're pleased to report this City of Surrey document is one in a series of five booklets where by the following resources have been saved by using this environmentally friendly paper: trees preserved wastewater flow saved waterborne waste prevented solid waste not generated energy saved greenhouse gas prevented litres 16kg 262 kg 8,704,000 BTU 515 kg Calculations to demonstrate the benefits of supporting offsite wind generated electric power and carbon emission reduction projects are based primarily upon Mohawk s corporate-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. economic development office Avenue Surrey, BC V3X 3A2 t F E. econdev@surrey.ca [ 12 ]