February 29, 2008 Winnipeg, Manitoba
A $2.4 million investment from the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA) will help Red River College acquire research and testing equipment for vehicle technologies, an integral part of its new Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification; the Honourable Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, on behalf of Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Steve Ashton; and Mr. Grant Nordman, Councillor for St. Charles Ward.
"The Government of Canada is proud to make investments which will improve the College's ability to test and design new and existing vehicle technologies," said Mr. Toews. "This investment will strengthen Manitoba's transportation sector and assist Red River College in becoming a focal point for this rapidly growing industry, particularly in the field of emissions reduction and the integration of alternative and renewable sources of fuel."
"Manitoba has long been a transportation hub in North America and has in recent years become an incubator for developing new fuel technology," said Minister Rondeau. "This equipment will help train the future professionals our province will need for these emerging manufacturing and technological industries."
"The City of Winnipeg is committed to a cleaner and greener vehicle fleet," said Councillor Grant Nordman on behalf of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. "Through our recently-announced Green Vehicle Plan, we intend to make our fleet of 2,500 vehicles more efficient and more environmentally friendly. This type of facility will help to make Winnipeg a centre for clean vehicle technology, and support our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions".
The applied research and equipment specifications were developed to meet the needs identified by local industry. The curriculum will include applied research and advanced training in leading-edge technologies, such as biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen and electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and emissions and extreme-weather testing.
"We appreciate the support of the three levels of government, and we look forward to working closely with the transportation industry on training programs and applied research projects that will benefit our environment and economy," said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President of Red River College.
The new equipment will be located in the Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre, which is scheduled to open in January 2009. The Centre will provide opportunities for students to work on real-world problems such as the application of cleaner energy sources and alternative fuels for the transportation and heavy equipment sector.
The funds announced today come from Component IV of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. By creating strategic partnerships with various community stakeholders, this component increases the development, use and commercialization of new technologies. Projects under this component help to build the foundation for a knowledge-based economy that employs skilled workers and encourages innovative approaches.
The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004 and represents a five-year, $75-million commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to strengthen our neighbourhoods, promote economic development and enable Aboriginal citizens to fully enjoy Winnipeg's economic and social opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Web site www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca for program details.
For more information, contact:
Lee Gregg
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0701
Graham Gork
Communications Coordinator
Communications Services Manitoba
(204) 945-5795
City of Winnipeg
Media Enquiries
(204) 986-6000
Twylla Krueger
Director of College Relations
Red River College
(204) 632-2264
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Transportation Sector
Transportation is a key sector in Manitoba's economy. The Manitoba-based trucking industry directly and indirectly employs 33,000 Manitobans, or five per cent of the Province's labour force. Three of Canada's ten largest employers in the ''for-hire'' trucking industry are headquartered in Winnipeg, which is also home to two of North America's largest bus manufacturers. The sector is experiencing growth, however, with the rising dollar and fuel price increases it is challenged to remain competitive in the North American marketplace.
Red River College
Red River College recognizes that students graduating from its transportation programs must acquire advanced skills to meet the emerging demand for fuel efficiencies and emissions performance in this industry. There is a need for a knowledge-based workforce trained to diagnose, repair and optimize vehicles using new power technologies and alternative fuels.
Just as critical is the need for a workforce that can be part of the innovation process as local vehicle manufacturers design and test their product. Red River College is dedicated to responding and serving Manitoba industry by providing the training programs that prepare graduates for existing and anticipated industry requirements and changing economic priorities.
The Project
- Integrate an applied vehicle performance emissions applied research capacity to the Heavy Equipment Training Centre (HETC) to address the issues of emissions reduction and the integration of alternative and renewable sources of fuels.
- Applied research projects will address the performance and emissions characteristics of all types of motorized vehicles and the differences in emissions between regular and alternative fuel sources.
- Support innovation in the on- and off-road transportation industry, introduce new vehicle technologies to end users through applied research, and train the next generation of skilled workers to ensure the commercialization of new innovations is successful.
Examples of Applied Research and Training
Vehicle Performance: Vehicle performance and power output using a variety of fuels will be evaluated by examining engines along with the entire chassis and frame components. Vehicle technicians will be trained to enhance the performance characteristics of any given vehicle type and to understand the service implications of using alternative fuels. Each alternative fuel may affect a given vehicle's service protocol. The testing range of the chassis dynamometer will span from as small as a compact passenger vehicles up to a full size bus, and heavy equipment such as agricultural tractors.
Emissions: The relationship between performance and vehicle emissions for today's conventional fuels will be compared and contrasted with that of alternative and renewable fuels. The emission parameters will focus on carbons (carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide), nitrous oxides, and sulfur oxides. Research activities pursued may include: monitoring fleets as they age to determine effects of the unique climate in Winnipeg (-30°C to +35°C); emissions testing to support local manufacturing industry: buses and agricultural equipment; and fuel usage optimization to the support the large local trucking industry.
Environmental Chamber Testing: All motorized vehicles are subject to a wide variety of regional environmental conditions. The environmental chamber will house the engine and chassis dynamometers and accommodate the mobile emission test equipment so that evaluation of vehicle performance can be tested under any temperature range between -30°C and +40°C. Vehicles using a variety of alternative and/or renewable fuels will be tested.
