“The fuel cells sector has the potential to make a significant contribution to reaching both our climate change and our clean air objectives,” said Minister Anderson. “The Government of Canada is committed to sustainable development through alternative energy, such as fuel cells, to ensure a safe and clean environment for future generations.”

The funds will allow IESVic to purchase equipment—including advanced instrumentation for testing and measurements in fuel cells, state-of-the-art high-pressure composite cylinders to store hydrogen and a hydrogen compressor—that will advance its study in the fuel cells and hydrogen sector.

“The storage tank and compressor will be part of our Integrated Renewable Energy Experiment and will allow us to store solar or wind energy in the form of hydrogen,” explained Dr. Ned Djilali, IESVic’s director. “Then, we can draw on this stored energy by feeding it back into a fuel cell to produce power when needed. This investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada will allow us to pursue innovative research in fuel cells and sustainable energy systems integration. It will also enhance our capacity to assist industrial partners in developing this exciting new technology.”

Fuel cells generate electricity by chemically combining stored hydrogen with oxygen, producing water and heat—their only emissions—as a byproduct. Because fuel cells are quiet, clean and efficient, they offer the opportunity to transform the global energy system by introducing zero-emission technologies for mobile, portable, and stationary applications such as fuel cell-powered vehicles, cell phones, laptops and even entire buildings. Fuel cell-based energy devices will generate substantially less greenhouse gases than many other products currently available.

Most of today's energy systems require technological pathways based on non-renewable or greenhouse gas-emitting energy sources, such as hydrocarbons. Because these common energy resources are both unsustainable and harmful, IESVic is committed to promoting and developing creative alternatives through original research. Founded in 1989, IESVic’s areas of expertise are fuel cells, cryrofuels, energy systems analysis and energy policy development. Last month, an IESVic student team won the grand prize in the first annual University Student Hydrogen Design Contest for its design of a hydrogen fueling station that could conceivably open by March 2006.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that promote Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities. Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.