Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability

We are committed to a future where the environmental and economic challenges of the oil sands have been solved.  In collaboration with our partners, our diverse and resourceful team is helping to achieve this by applying scientific principles, bringing our knowledge to practice and connecting partners with shared interests.  This will lead to the restoration of pristine, functional landscapes for Albertans.​

We bridge the gap between existing oil sands environmental research and relevant solutions, taking innovative ideas from bench to scale-up. We work with businesses and industry to develop technologies that improve the economic and environmental performance of the oil sands industry. 

Technology Access Centre (TAC)

The Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability is part of a network of 60 TACs across the country. As a TAC, we help Canadian-based businesses get their products, processes and services market-ready by:

  • Offering objective advice and specialized technical services
  • Providing training related to new types of equipment and processes
  • Conducting applied research to develop solutions that address company challenges.

Learn more about Technology Access Centres across Canada. 

Research areas

Learn more about our research specializations and the impact we've made in these areas with our industry partners.

Our experts

PhotoFull nameTitleSpecialization(s) 
Andrea Sedgwick Ledcor Applied Research Chair in Oil Sands Environmental Sustainability, Manager, Technology Access Centre for Oil Sands Sustainabilitywater treatment, oil characterization interface properties, tailings, oil sands characterization, mining, and extraction
Heather KaminskyNSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Oil Sands Tailings Management advanced ore characterization, fundamentals of tailings, water treatment, impact of clay minerals on oil extraction and tailings
Jason Ng Research Associatechemical engineering, surface and interface, tailings dewatering, sensing technologies, oil sands characterization
Maksuda KhatunResearch GeologistXRD and XRF interpretation, mineralogy, chemostratigraphy, petrology, petrophysics, sedimentology 
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Labs and facilities

NAIT researchers have access to a range of specialized labs, facilities and equipment. The Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability makes use of these and other world-class applied research labs.

Pilot Scale Testing Facility

NAIT’s pilot scale testing facility has been specifically designed to provide the space required for large scale projects, fabrication and assembly.

Membrane Testing Laboratory

NAIT’s 650 square foot membrane testing laboratory will assist in de-risking industrial process water treatment technology development.

Analytical Chemistry Suite

NAIT’s analytical chemistry suite is a 2,100 square foot space equipped with a wide variety of both standard and specialized equipment.

Latest from the centre

How a NAIT researcher is building community around tailings pond research

‘Book club’ creator Dr. Heather Kaminsky shares info to encourage collaboration

Tailings Book Club 2023

Dr. Heather Kaminsky, Technology Access Centre for Oil Sands Sustainability, reviews the annual Tailings Management Reports. Register now for these free webinars.

Register Online
Sep. 26, 2022

Membrane Innovation Could Be Environmental Gamechanger

The new COSIA-supported Membrane Testing Lab is used to test reverse osmosis polymeric membranes in conditions relevant to oil sand facilities and other industries using water in their operations.

Find out more

Oil Sands Tailings 101

Join us for a course over four virtual sessions that offers participants a opportunity to deepen their technical knowledge of tailings management.

Connect with us

If you would like to learn more about the work we do or have a challenge that we may be able to help you solve, please get in touch.

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