New NAIT applied research centre will help spark clean technology for electric power industry

Published on April 25, 2019

Centre for Grid Innovation receives almost $2 million in federal funding

EDMONTON – NAIT’s new Centre for Grid Innovation has received approximately $1.9 million in funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada to help Alberta and international companies develop and test innovative power generation technologies.

The centre includes a plug-and-play microgrid that will allow industry partners to develop, test and demonstrate new technologies and prototypes under realistic field conditions.

A partnership between NAIT, ATCO, Siemens and the Future Energy Systems research project at the University of Alberta, the facility will help these companies discover innovative technologies to generate, manage and store energy and reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Alberta contributed $2 million to the initiative in September 2018.

The lab is located in the Productivity and Innovation Centre, NAIT’s new, 17,650 square metre centre providing solutions for industry, including advanced manufacturing labs, acceleration spaces for business and applied research facilities.

QUOTES

Dr. Glenn Feltham, President and CEO, NAIT
“The Centre for Grid Innovation will allow NAIT’s industry partners to develop new technologies that will strengthen the utilities sector. I want to express our appreciation to the Government of Canada for their contribution to this centre.”

The Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today’s investment in NAIT’s Centre for Grid Innovation builds on our competitive advantages and will result in small businesses testing new cleaner, greener grid technologies and bringing them to market, boosting economic growth and creating good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.”

Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues
“The Centre for Grid Innovation will help companies develop important technologies that could transform the electricity industry in Western Canada and beyond. By supporting initiatives like this, the Government of Canada is ensuring that Canadian businesses are competitive in the global low-carbon economy.”

About NAIT

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and skilled trades. With nearly 40,000 credit and non-credit students and a 95 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads are essential to the provincial economy. NAIT also contributes to Alberta’s prosperity by helping business and industry become more competitive with Industry Solutions offered through its Productivity and Innovation Centre, including technology adoption, business and product innovation and industry-driven research. Recognized as one of Alberta’s top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta.

Media inquiries

Marta Gold
NAIT Media Relations
P 780.378.6936 C 780.916.8307 E media@nait.ca