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Hello Perry; here's the latest edition of the Canadian Green Tech Weekly Briefing.
As Canadian Green Tech begins to ramp back up for 2016, we take a look back at some of the most viewed articles of 2015. Scrolling through the list reveals that innovation in the green technology arena in Canada is taking place on a number of levels.
This includes product development in wastewater, smart grid, electric vehicle charging and carbon capture. But we can't forget that greentech firms are attracting more capital and that governments are altering policy in recognition of technological evolution.
Enjoy the look back on 2015, but think also that more of this will be happening in 2016.
Cleantech firms snag significant portion of growing venture capital in Canada
Facts & Figures
August 4
Clean technology companies in Canada were able to ride the growing venture capital wave in the first half of 2015, securing a substantial portion of both the number of deals and the amount of money invested, according to results from the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA).
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Apple iPhone first smartphone to get innovative graphene battery case from Sunvault
Renewable Energy
October 22
Graphene-based energy storage device to work in broad variety of applications, including EVs, smartphones, powertools and the utility sector
In the near future, Apple iPhone users will need to worry a lot less about their device running out of juice thanks to a new battery-equipped case from Sunvault Energy Inc. and Edison Power Company. It’s not your typical battery-enabled case either, it can provide iPhone users with upwards of 200% more power while on the go and also charge in approximately three minutes. Sunvault chief executive Gary Monaghan spoke with Canadian Green Tech last month about the company’s innovative graphene energy storage technology and its target markets.
Read more
Risk capital turning attention to clean energy and sustainable development plays
Research/Commercialization
June 17
Maturing technology, reduced price points for renewable energy, depressed oil prices and momentum on climate action are all drivers of an increased interest in investing in clean energy and sustainable development plays, according to Wal van Lierop, co-founder and chief executive at Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital.
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Large industrial users could cut wholesale electricity costs in half with unsubsidized solar, new research says
Regulation & Policy
December 1
New research coming out of the University of Ottawa indicates that the Ontario government no longer needs to offer preferential solar energy pricing through its Feed-in-Tariff Program to large electricity users deploying solar projects. Conducted by Masters of Science candidate Steve Tomosk, his modeling focuses on datacentres and their ability to offset their huge electricity expenses by deploying solar PV, but it applies equally to all large electricity users with 3 MW or greater in peak demand.
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Good bye microFIT, hello net metering and self consumption
Regulation & Policy
August 27
New Ontario net metering program to be radically different from existing approach
The Ontario government is planning a massive overhaul of its existing small scale renewable energy programs that, when fully implemented in either late 2017 or early 2018, would see these projects (think rooftop solar) be aligned on a self-consumption model rather than one based on receiving rates well above the going rate for electricity.
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Commentary: Global emissions projected to stall in 2015, Canadians remain carbon hogs
Free Articles
December 8
New figures from the Global Carbon Budget reveal that global emissions are expected to stall, or see a slight decline in 2015 compared to last year. But more importantly, emissions reductions are happening at time when the global economy is still growing. According to October numbers contained in the 2015 update, global emissions could drop by about 0.6% compared to a 0.6% increase in 2014.
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Ryerson and TechM collaborating on integrated microgrid SCADA platform
Research/Commercialization
September 2
TechM tells Canadian Green Tech the research will help create an integrated control platform for generation and distribution assets
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on microgrids signed last month between IT giant Tech Mahindra Ltd. (TechM) andRyerson University is going to help frame research that could make the future electricity system much more intelligent and less expensive to operate. In essence, and at a very high level, the two organizations are working together to make a smarter smart grid.
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IoT and passenger vehicles, reducing tailpipe emissions and household energy use, insights from Ford
Transportation
June 24
Automobile manufacturers have been increasing the intelligence in their cars and trucks for years. Anti-collision sensors and advanced communications technologies are just two of the more visible examples. Ford Motor Company says much more can be done and pairing of these types of innovations with smartphone apps can turn the typical family car into a serious piece of equipment for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Boundary Dam CCS facility not profitable, saddles SK ratepayers with burden
CO2 Mitigation
April 8
A new financial analysis of SaskPower’s Boundary Dam coal-fired power plant (unit 3) and carbon capture and storage facility (BD3CCS) from James Glennie, president of Saskatchewan Community Wind, suggests that even after 30 years the entire operation will have accrued losses of approximately $650 million and with no hope of turning that red ink black.
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Big data: The next frontier in enabling greater building energy efficiency
Green IT
November 18
Using data and data analytics has been around for some time. It exists in every part of our life from the types of the ads we see on the Internet to how electric utilities manage their local distribution networks. Increasingly, big data is becoming an important tool for building operators to discover new opportunities in energy savings. A recent Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance webinar delved into the big data issue and how it can enable a greater level of energy efficiency in the building stock.
Read more
Other top stories from 2015
PowerStream and Sunverge to showcase grid and customer benefits of solar+storage virtual power plant – September 22
CO2 Solutions steps on the commercialization gas peddle – May 11
Canada wide listing of energy efficiency incentive and rebate programs available from NAIMA – June 26
Ontario hits some energy conservation targets, misses on others – March 25
Hydroelectricity has big impacts on Canadian economy, new report says – May 20
Redknee and Elster team up to provide prepay energy system for utilities – August 11
EV charging pilot with Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro moving into high gear – September 15
IoT and passenger vehicles, reducing tailpipe emissions and household energy use, insights from Ford – June 24
Clearford debuts new funding model for wastewater collection and treatment – February 11
Novel, inexpensive, less energy intensive oil sands wastewater treatment tech gets SDTC funding – March 25
Increased revenue happens with IoT: Tata Consultancy – June 23
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