From the GLOBE AND MAIL
Special Information Feature
MONDAY,
“It is estimated that the global demand for innovative clean technologies will grow to $3 trillion by 2020. This is a massive export opportunity for
Vicky Sharpe has no doubt about the current state of
“Ask anyone in the natural resources sector, and you will find someone eager to increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce costs and waste. That is just what clean-tech does – and that is why the industry is quickly becoming a centrepiece of the Canadian economy,” says Dr. Sharpe, noting that it is this desire to do more with less that is launching the clean-tech industry to new heights.
Our clean-tech sector is already worth $10.6 billion in revenues and now employs 50,000 people – up 18 per cent over last year. These are impressive numbers and we are confident they will continue to rise.” She points out that the growth of the sector in
“It is estimated that the global demand for
innovative clean technologies will grow to $3 trillion by 2020. This is a
massive export opportunity for One such company is Quadrogen Power Systems. As a beneficiary of SDTC support, Alakh Prasad, P.Eng., knows the value of the organization to him as an entrepreneur. And as an engineer, he appreciates the expertise and knowledge needed to advance
That’s important because biogas such as landfill gas or syngas derived from organic waste for renewable power generation is green, but not clean and can cause equipment problems that negatively affect performance, drive up cost and reduce reliability. “The global market for biogas clean-up systems is over $15 billion,” says Mr. Prasad. “Quadrogen has long-term plans to achieve 20 per cent penetration into this market and generate $3 billion in revenue for its products and services.”
Another company in the SDTC portfolio is Tenova Goodfellow Inc., (TGI), an
“The EAF remains one of the least automated, energy intensive heavy industrial processes largely due to the harsh operating environment that makes sensor reliability and related process monitoring and control extremely difficult,” explains Dr. Goodfellow.
SDTC is working with TGI to demonstrate the company’s clean technology in collaboration with leading Canadian steel producer ArcelorMittal Dofasco. The technology has already been demonstrated successfully in full-scale basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmaking facilities, cement plants and coal-fired power plants, and global market opportunities are being pursued, says Dr. Goodfellow.
To help companies like Quadrogen and TGI, SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $590-million SD Tech Fund supports projects that address air quality, climate change, clean water and clean soil. The $500-million NextGen Biofuels Fund supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels. To date, the SD Tech Fund has completed 19 funding rounds, committing more than $560 million to more than 228 projects. The NextGen Biofuels Fund has over half its fund earmarked, with four projects approved for funding.
Dr. Sharpe emphasizes that SDTC does much more than simply finance groundbreaking technologies. It also works closely with an ever-growing network of stakeholders and partners to build the capacity of Canadian clean-technology entrepreneurs, helping them form strategic relationships, formalize their business plans and build a critical mass of sustainable development capability in
“Ten years ago there was confusion about what constituted clean-tech. We worked with the industry to position it as a recognized driver of productivity, competitiveness and export revenues, and we have helped develop and deliver Canadian technology innovations to market. In the process, we have established a commercialization funding model that has become recognized in
The results are impressive. Revenues of SDTC-supported companies grow at twice the rate of non-SDTC companies, says Dr. Sharpe. SDTC’s investments have helped create 7,000 jobs in rural and urban communities across
Tenova Goodfellow Inc.
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