News Releases

May 8, 2009

NAIT receives millions for Alternative Energy Centre and new windows

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, May 8, 2009— On behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, along with Doug Elinski, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Calder, today announced investments totalling $6.8 million for two projects at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology as part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. 

 NAIT was awarded a total of $6.8 million for two separate projects.  The Window Replacement project will help NAIT upgrade facilities to improve the quality of their teaching and training facilities.  NAIT will also be receiving funding towards their Alternative Energy Centre to maintain their excellent track record in the field of alternative energy, assist in meeting the power needs of the campus and providing new training opportunities for students in the Power Engineering program.

Alternative Energy Centre
The Centre will provide space for co-op research with industry and universities, it will provide new opportunities for students to study leading edge renewable technology, and the alternative energy produced will help meet the power needs of NAIT’s main campus. The Government of Alberta is matching funds of $2.6 million.

Centre Highlights
400kw Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell complete with a thermo fluid 30kw generator (Organic Rankin Unit)
4kw Solar Panel System
3kw Power Generating Wind Turbine
Federal Investment $2,600,000
Total project $ 5,200,000
Proposed start date July 1, 2009
Proposed completion date June 30, 2011

Window replacement
The wooden windows in the E, F, G, H, and J wings on main campus will be replaced with energy efficient aluminum windows. The existing frames are now 49 years old and exhibiting rot. The replacement will decrease the formation of mold in the wall cavity, and improve the thermal performance of the exterior wall. The Government of Alberta is matching funds of $4.2 million.

Project Highlights
Federal Investment $ 4,200,000
Total project $8,400,000
Proposed start date July 1, 2009
Proposed completion date June 30, 2011

NAIT’s current fuel cell technology 

In 2003, NAIT installed a 200-kilowatt phosphoric acid fuel cell. It was the first commercially operated high voltage fuel cell in Canada. The power it generated was used to heat NAIT’s Swimming Pool and provided hot water to the showers in the pool area. It covered about 8 % cent of NAIT’s electrical needs on main campus. NAIT’s Power Engineering diploma students currently have the rare opportunity to work directly with the fuel cells.  The course they take in the second year of their studies is unique at a diploma or even a degree level in Canada. 50 % of their class is theory; the other is in the lab. The students actually build their own fuel cell.

About  NAIT
NAIT is one of the preeminent institutes of technology in Canada, providing real-world education in business, advanced technologies and skilled trades to more than 84,000 learners worldwide. Known for student success, NAIT also engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world.

For more information, please contact:

Rayne Kuntz
NAIT Media Relations Specialist
Department of Corporate Communications
P 780.471.8450  C 780.916.8307  E raynek@nait.ca