The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are supporting B.C.'s environmental technology sector through a joint investment of $181,000 in GeoExchange BC, a leading clean energy industry association.
The funding was announced today by Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country 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.
Geoexchange technology is a thermal energy transfer system that takes advantage of solar energy stored in the ground and water. It is considered one of the best market-ready technologies to reduce global warming contributions associated with building space heating, cooling and hot water heating.
"This investment will help advance the development of geoexchange energy solutions within the environmental technologies sector," said MP Cannan. "This announcement demonstrates our Government's continued support for the growth of knowledge-based research and development, as well as technology commercialization in Western Canada."
The project will help support GeoExchange BC's training and certification programs, applied research, market development and technology initiatives. The association will conduct feasibility studies to advance the understanding of geoexchange technology innovations, and report on the economic impact of the industry in B.C. The funding will also provide assistance to the association as it prepares to host the 2009 Biennial International GeoExchange Conference and Trade Exhibition.
Geoexchange technology is strongly supported by both the Federal Government, through the federal ecoENERGY rebate program and the Province of BC, through the BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership.
"This contribution from Western Economic Diversification to GeoExchange B.C. represents a significant step forward in growing our industry association and promoting renewable energy technology in British Columbia," said Dr. Scott Schillereff, Principal Consultant and Team Leader for GeoExchange BC. "With this support, Geoexchange BC will be better able to serve our members with a paid project director position, offering professional development workshops and training, carrying out targeted projects for developing professional guidelines, economic benefits analyses and demostration projects, and presenting our 3rd Biennial International Geoexchange Conference and Trade Show (scheduled for May 13-15, 2009 at UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC)."
GeoExchange BC is a non-profit, industry driven association of private and public interests in British Columbia and throughout Canada. Its mission is to enhance and expand the use of geoexchange products and services.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Valerie Wan
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Cell: (778) 838-6860
Scott Schillereff
Principal Consultant and Team Leader
GeoExchange Engineering Practice
Tel: (250) 862-4832 ext. 225
Cell: (250) 862-7920
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
