Government of Canada Invests In Innovation at St. FX

News Release

$1.8 million for gas leak detection technology under the Atlantic Innovation Fund

Antigonish, NS – (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency – ACOA)

Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, today announced an investment of $1,853,447 for the development of St. Francis Xavier University’s vehicle-based ExACT gas leak detection technology for the oil & gas industry. This investment is provided under ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). MP Fraser was joined by Dr. Kevin Wamsley, Academic Vice President of the university and Dr. David Risk, Associate Professor at StFX, Lead Researcher at the FluxLab, and ExACT Project Lead.

The funding announced today will support a four-year applied-research process to build on a patent-protected platform technology to develop a gas detection sensor used as an inspection tool for the oil and gas industry. The ExACT sensor, short for "Emissions Attribution via Computational Techniques", will be designed to be mounted on a vehicle which, while driving around a site, gathers near-ground geochemical readings, uploads these readings to a cloud-based database, and allows for real-time analysis. The detection of gas leaks in a comprehensive, cost effective and efficient manner is of paramount importance in regulatory compliance as well as in minimizing product loss and maximizing environmental protection.

ACOA’s innovation programming, which includes the Atlantic Innovation Fund and the Business Development Program, responds to the evolving needs of Atlantic businesses and researchers. It is designed to help bring to market new products, technologies and services that will improve the competitiveness and productivity of the Atlantic economy. The programs also support small and medium-sized enterprises across the region to acquire or adapt innovative technologies that can improve their productivity and competitiveness, while also enabling them to build the skills they need to innovate and compete in today’s global economy.

Quotes:

“Innovation is the path to inclusive growth. It fosters a thriving middle class and opens the country to new economic, social and environmental possibilities and is essential in shaping our future. The Government of Canada believes that protecting the environment and growing the economy go hand in hand. We are committed to making Canada a leader by focusing on innovation and clean technologies as a central part of our plan to transition into the economy of tomorrow.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Projects such as this one position Nova Scotia as a world leader in the creation of intelligent, environmentally responsible and economically-sound solutions. That’s why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects like the one being undertaken by the FluxLab at St. Francis Xavier University, an institute that is leading the pack in creating innovative solutions for a world-wide market.”

- Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament, Central Nova

“Dr. Dave Risk and his team of student researchers have worked diligently in creating new tools to detect gas leaks in the oil and gas industry,” says StFX President Dr. Kent MacDonald. “This ACOA funding will help StFX researchers continue to develop ground breaking technology to encourage environmental improvements, regulatory compliance, and minimize product loss in the energy sector in Canada.”

- Dr. Kent MacDonald, President and Vice Chancellor, St. Francis Xavier University

“Methane leaks and vents from energy developments are a worldwide problem. Over the past few years we've worked with progressive energy companies and developed tools to help them see what’s being emitted—often 100 times faster than before. Since bold new reduction targets have been announced by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, demand for our expertise has soared. We're excited that with this project, ACOA is helping us improve our technology for the mass market so that we, in-turn, can empower companies to hit reduction targets early and easily, and create benefits for all!”

- Dr. David Risk, Associate Professor and Project Lead, St. Francis Xavier University

Quick Facts:

On July 5, 2016, Minister Bains announced an investment of up to $7.1 million in four innovative projects in Atlantic Canada under the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). Today’s announcement provides details of the final project included in that funding envelope.
On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic Provinces unveiled the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a homegrown, prosperity-focused and evidence-based strategy to stimulate the region’s economy and address both long standing and emerging regional challenges.
The Atlantic Growth Strategy is aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region by focusing joint federal and provincial efforts and resources on five main areas of action: skilled workforce/immigration, innovation, clean growth and climate change, trade and investment, and infrastructure.
As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, both levels of government will work together to foster greater business innovation by supporting the scaling up of small firms, technology transfer, the commercialization of research, and the generation of new breakthrough ideas in areas such as bioscience, aquaculture, ocean technology and renewable energy, while also spurring value-added opportunities in established industries like the fisheries, agriculture and forestry which are the foundation of Atlantic Canada’s economy.
Supporting innovation projects helps improve opportunities for business, creates jobs in the Atlantic region and contributes to Atlantic Canada’s reputation as an innovation hub.
The vision of the Government of Canada is to make innovation a national priority, and it is taking a government-wide approach aimed at building an inclusive and innovative Canada.
Canadians are encouraged to visit Canada.ca/Innovation to share their ideas for positioning Canada as a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes.

Associated Links :

Contacts:

Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417/902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@canada.ca

Cindy MacKenzie
Manager of Media Relations
St. Francis Xavier University
902.867.2401
E-mail: cmackenz@stfx.ca

Dr. Dave Risk
Chair, Earth Sciences
St. Francis Xavier University
902-872-2861
drisk@stfx.ca

Project Description

Antigonish, Nova Scotia
St. Francis Xavier University
ACOA assistance: $1,853,447 (non-repayable)
Total Project Costs: $2,728,765

Located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, St. Francis Xavier University (St. FX) is home to a faculty of highly respected experts who lead international-calibre research that makes important contributions to the future of Canada.

With an investment of $1,853,447 under the AIF, STFX’s Associate Professor and Chair, Earth Sciences, will lead a project to develop a purpose-specific survey and inspection tool for the oil and gas industry. This four-year project will allow STFX to build on a patent-protected platform technology to develop a fugitive-gas detection sensor. Fugitive gases are unintended leaks of gases or vapors from pressurized equipment, mostly from industrial activities. As well as the enormous cost of this lost fuel, fugitive emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change.

St. FX will work with Altus Geomatics, a multi-discipline, global geomatics company, and a number of energy companies. In addition to supporting a team of 12 highly skilled positions, the project is expected to result in the commercialization of a survey tool (product) and a data solution (software as a service).

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Hon. Navdeep Singh Bains Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Science and Technology Persons

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2022-10-03