Clean Tech is the focus of upcoming Research, Innovation and Commercialization workshop
WHITEHORSE— Yukon College’s Cold Climate Innovation (CCI) is partnering with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to host the 2018 Research, Innovation and Commercialization workshop on Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9.
The theme this year is clean technologies. The 1.5-day workshop will feature keynote presentations and panels that will speak to the challenges of pursuing clean tech projects and how to overcome these technical challenges in Yukon communities.
Experts, academics, government officials, First Nations and clean tech professionals will facilitate a solution-orientated discussion on how to foster and promote clean technologies in the territory.
Walter Cicha from the National Research Council of Canada will deliver the opening keynote speech on the big picture of Clean Tech and John Stonier, CEO of VeloMetro Mobility, will deliver the day two keynote on innovative transportation.
Clean tech can refer to any process, product, or service that reduces negative climate and/or environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. It encompasses technologies that support clean, renewable energy such as wind, solar and biofuels (including biomass systems where there is a net zero lifecycle impact on the environment), energy storage systems, improved energy efficiency, waste recycling, improved waste and waste water treatment and management, waste to energy systems, green transportation including vehicles powered by electric and biofuels, and even IT systems that support greener technologies and environmental financing models aimed at supporting clean tech start-ups and the increased uptake of clean technologies.
“Raising awareness of the importance of reducing our impact on the environment is paramount. It is the first step in harnessing Yukoners’ northern perspective and focuses their innovative nature on developing ideas that will work in the northern context,” said Bruce Hardy, Industrial Technology Advisor with the National Research Council of Canada. “Based on my participation in the three previous conferences, there will be no shortage of good ideas coming out of the event.”
“This is an ongoing conversation aimed at the community and municipal level. The workshop is a good forum for communities to share their clean tech needs and existing projects as well as spark ideas for new projects,” said Harry Borlase, interim Director, Cold Climate Innovation at Yukon College.
Once ideas for clean tech solutions are generated, CCI, the NRC IRAP and others in the innovation community can step forward with programs and services to move those ideas to commercialization. A panel discussion on funding opportunities will wrap up the workshop.
The workshop takes place at the Coast High Country Inn. Registration is free and there is travel funding for people from each Yukon community and First Nation to attend.
For more information on travel funding please contact Alison Anderson at Yukon College – (867) 456-8628 or aanderson@yukoncollege.yk.ca.
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