Project Orca – Projet ORCA
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces $4.25M Project ORCA
One of Three Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program Projects Announced on Feb. 17
On Feb. 17, 2021, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced three new projects with a total value of $12 million from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream, including Project ORCA. Project ORCA is the Ocean Supercluster’s first Alberta-led project, and brings together SMEs, academia, and other partners in ocean innovation to advance the development of Katal Green Fuel ahead of commercialization to reduce dependency on diesel and transition to low-carbon fuels. The project will benefit Canadians by creating seven jobs immediately, an additional 42 jobs within three years, and the potential for 210 indirect jobs throughout the project’s lifespan. Project ORCA will generate new economic activity, helping grow the ocean economy in a digital, sustainable, and inclusive way.
It is estimated that 80-90 per cent of international trade by volume is conducted across oceans. There is an opportunity to provide a lower carbon fuel for ocean vessels, harbour vessels, cruise ships, ferries, barges, terminal operations, refueling operations, and other marine machinery. Katal Energy is proposing a start to reducing reliance on diesel and transitioning to low-carbon fuels. Project ORCA will address capability challenges of the technology, providing a working demonstration of the technical and structural needs of the marine transportation industry.
With a total project value of $4.25 million, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $2 million in funding, with $2.25 million coming from industry partners. Led by Katal Energy project partners include Valent Low Carbon Technologies, Horizon Maritime, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Mitacs, Deepsense, and Spearhead Manufacturing to advance the technology readiness level of Katal Green Fuel.
Project ORCA will enable Katal to introduce Green Fuel to market by:
- Extending their work beyond the laboratory environment to the field;
- Collecting necessary fuel performance and emissions data;
- Incorporating customer feedback;
- Working to prove scalability, supply chain logistics and storage capacities; and
- Defining the commercial process considerations
Quotes
“The Ocean Supercluster is changing the way business is done and positioning Canada as a global leader in the ocean economy. Through innovative projects like the ones announced today, Canada’s Superclusters are clearly succeeding in fostering stronger connections across the innovation ecosystem and creating real benefits for Canadians.” – The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“There is global demand for lower carbon solutions in ocean and through environmental technologies like those being deployed through Project ORCA, we are seeing the benefits of the cross-sectoral, collaborative framework of the Ocean Supercluster and the game-changing innovation that comes as a result as well as economic benefits including 42 jobs and up to 210 indirect jobs over the life of the project. We are thrilled to announce Project OCRA, the Ocean Supercluster’s first Alberta-led project.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Our partnership with the Ocean Supercluster helps accelerate our transition towards commercialization. Project ORCA enables us to showcase our environmental technology in a collaborative real-world setting.” – Katal CEO Craig Latimer
“The collaboration with Katal on Project ORCA provides a tremendous opportunity for SAIT and our students to be active participants in the transition to a lower carbon economy.” – Tom Bornhorst VP Corporate Development, Applied Research and International, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
“The research and development of Katal Green Fuel appears to be a viable and important solution for reducing exhaust emissions of diesel-powered internal combustion engines. Having an abundance of our equipment powered by diesel engines means this is of high interest to us.” – Horizon Maritime CEO, Sean Leet
“Katal’s offering holds a unique opportunity to do this with no modifications to our existing vessels. This means we can make a measurable difference in the short and medium term as other energy technologies become more mature.”- Horizon Maritime CEO, Sean Leet
French News Release – Projet ORCA
Welcome New OSC Staff Members
Jennifer joins the team as Director of Contracting, where she will lead the OSC’s project contracting and overall contract management efforts. Jennifer has a broad legal background, with particular expertise in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, having previously practiced at a leading law firm and as a consultant and in-house counsel for large organizations in both the private and public sectors.
Ogaga joins the team as Technology Leadership Program Manager, where she will support the management of technology leadership projects. Ogaga is a seasoned project management professional with strengths in project delivery and assessing impact, developed from time providing technology solutions in sustainable energy, IT, remote sensing, satellite and Aviation sectors across Nigeria, Europe and Canada.
Welcome to our new OSC team members!
OSC Current Blog – January 2021
Happy 2021! There are many of us who breathed a collective sigh of relief as the first day of 2021 began. While we continue to face significant challenges, there is much hope that the months ahead will start to bring greater normalcy, health and well-being, and a path to economic recovery. I am finding that this January, even more so than usual, is bringing with it many conversations about what we have learned in 2020 about ourselves, about each other and about the world around us and how to move forward while still navigating many uncertainties.
This January is an exciting one in the global ocean economy. This year marks the official start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development which offers a common framework for countries to sustainably manage oceans. This is critically important as countries around the world, Canada included, consider their strategies for the blue economy and prepare for their role in it.
In December 2020, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, bringing together fourteen countries with a common goal to protect the ocean, issued its ocean action agenda: Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy – A vision for Production, Protection and Prosperity. As a member of this panel, our Prime Minister shared, “Having the world’s longest coastline, Canada recognizes that our economy and our well-being are deeply connected with the health of our oceans, and that we have a responsibility to protect them.”
While there are many opportunities for growth in our ocean economy, the ocean is also facing tremendous pressure. This week was another reminder of this as Fisheries and Oceans Canada released a report on rising temperatures in the deep waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence that poses a significant risk to a variety of species, and points to the kinds of the challenges we are seeing in ocean, not off in the future, but here and now.
This year will also be an important one for the Canadian ocean economy. Its priority further reinforced in the recent updated mandate letters to Federal Ministers that maintained the delivery of Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy as a key priority. I look forward to being able to support its development as the Government of Canada begins public consultations in the coming weeks.
So in amongst all this, what does 2021 look like for Canada’s Ocean Supercluster? We continue to focus on changing the way ocean business is done. We are excited to be working with organizations rolling out projects from across the country. As an industry-led organization, we have seen increased investments in key areas in 2020 that we will continue to build upon in 2021:
An increasingly digital ocean economy: developing scalable, innovative solutions to digitize ocean operations, accelerate ocean product development and increase remote and autonomous capabilities. This includes the use of sensors and autonomous vehicles to increase data collection supporting better decision making and increased safety with projects like: Ocean Vision, the very first OSC project to be announced that is heading into its second year building robotics-as-a-service, Digital Ship In Service Support, our first BC-led OSC project building digital twin capability in shipbuilding, and Digital Offshore Canada, our most recently announced project focused on digital twins in the offshore.
An increasingly sustainable ocean economy: developing solutions that provide alternative sources of energy or fuel, developing supply chains that focus on waste re-utilization and building a circular economy and reducing green house gas emissions, projects like: Ocean Aware Project that focuses on fish tracking and environmental monitoring, or the Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project which provides a solution to get more communities off diesel power, or the GIT Smart Protective Coatings Project bringing to market a non-toxic, graphene-based protective coating for vessels that reduces fuel consumption and underwater radiant noise.
An increasingly inclusive ocean economy: while many of our projects create opportunities for under-represented groups, we have several projects specifically focused on increasing our knowledge of our current workforce including: Ocean Allies Project which is developing strategies to access, engage, and support greater diversity in ocean; the Indigenous Career Pivot Pilot Project which is helping mid-career Indigenous peoples pivot to a career in ocean; and the Inclusive Workforce for Arctic Ocean Technologies Project addressing the barriers faced by Inuit in remote northern communities to promote their participation in the ocean economy.
All of this project activity has attracted international interest where Canada has a key role to play in an increasingly global ocean conversation. Just this morning I had the opportunity for the first time to participate in an event hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry as they explore their challenges and opportunities in the blue economy. For Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, international engagement is important and certainly allows us to provide leadership not only in the global conversation on the blue economy, but also in the delivery of solutions and creating the economic benefits for Canadians that come as a result.
In 2020, we focused on building our momentum, recognizing the ocean economy would play a key role in our long-term economic recovery despite the impacts of the pandemic. In 2021, our focus will be on project impacts, and sharing our stories with all Canadians and the world. We have every reason to emerge as a leader in ocean globally and build back bluer.
Kendra MacDonald
CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
The Future Code “Future of Oceans” Showcases Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
January 28, 2021
The Future Code “Future of Oceans” Showcases Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
The show’s first Canadian-focused episode premieres in UK, US and Canada
View the Future of Oceans episode here
The landmark television series called The Future Code has premiered its “Future of Oceans” episode in the US, UK in December and today in Canada. With an expected audience of millions worldwide, this marks the first The Future Code episode filmed in Canada, telling the story of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and how the industry-led cluster is changing the way ocean business is done. In an increasingly digital world, the Ocean Supercluster is focused on game-changing, globally-relevant ocean solutions that deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth opportunities and help shape the future of oceans.
“Canada is an ocean nation, and as we look to the future of oceans, we know there are big challenges but also big opportunities. We are so excited to share the story of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster with the world and showcase some of the incredible, leading edge ocean innovation that is happening from coast to coast to coast,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is triggering new activity, opportunity, and industry investment at a time when it is very much needed. We are bringing together different ocean sectors, who in many cases have never worked together before, to develop and commercialize solutions that will position Canada as a leader as we build back bluer.”
Produced by Re:Source Media, filming took place early this fall in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and features Canada’s Ocean Supercluster CEO Kendra MacDonald and members of the Ocean Supercluster who are leading and supporting some of the game-changing ocean projects through the supercluster. They include: XOcean, Kraken Robotics, eDNAtec, Ocean Choice International, the Ocean Startup Project, Innovasea, the Indigenous Career Pivot Pilot Project, and Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University of Newfoundland.
“Our oceans are under incredible pressure and also hold so much opportunity. When we came across this story, we knew there was something special about the Ocean Supercluster’s approach to not only tackling some of the world’s biggest ocean challenges with made-in-Canada innovation, but also in their commitment to doing this in a green, sustainable way,” said Kevin Fox, President and CEO of Re:Source Media. “In a time when the world is grappling with balancing ocean health and productivity, we are proud to help shine a light on Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and what we saw first-hand as the contribution it has to make to the global blue economy.”
The Future Code brings to its viewers stories of new technologies, new ideas, and new ways of looking at problems. In particular, the series focuses on disruptive technologies, as well as new models and leading companies which are revolutionizing industries, changing the workplace and rewriting the future. The Future of Oceans episode launched across Amazon Prime US and Amazon Prime UK in late December, and had its Canadian Broadcast Premiere today on YouTube Canada. In addition, an extended version of the episode will also be carried with a mainstream Canadian broadcaster with further details to come.
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Media Contact:
Connecting virtually has never been more important.
Visit oceansupercluster.ca for the latest.
Ocean Supercluster Announces $15M Call for Ocean Resilience Project
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched a Canada-wide Call for Proposals for its new Ocean Supercluster Resilience (OSCR) program, investing up to $15 million in ocean projects that create strong collaborations and focus on the growth of multiple Canadian innovation-based companies. The one-time OSCR call for proposals supplements the Ocean Supercluster’s core programs in Technology Leadership and Innovation Ecosystem.
“While ocean sectors have seen significant adverse impacts this past year due to the pandemic, we have also seen incredible innovation and resiliency in ocean with close to 40 new Ocean Supercluster projects approved in 2020, most of which were approved since March,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “This year we want continue to build resiliency and momentum with new opportunities for innovative projects while creating and strengthening partnerships.”
MacDonald says the new OSCR will tackle significant challenges, unlocking new development opportunities to help increase Canada’s global competitiveness in ocean.
The Ocean Supercluster Resilience Call for Proposals is designed for projects that can be completed in 30 months or less. It is a deadline-driven and competitive program that aims to generate a diverse set of project ideas that:
- Address challenges impeding the launch of ocean-focused offerings into new markets;
- Leverage digital innovation and business reform to improve customer value, global competitiveness, and connectivity across and between ocean sectors; and
- Advance the ocean innovation ecosystem by creating and strengthening relationships between Canada’s private and public sectors.
The application process is now open and begins with Expressions of Interest which must be submitted by Feb 19, 2021 at 4 p.m. Atlantic time to be considered. For complete details, visit oceansupercluster.ca/projects/ocean-supercluster-resilience/
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About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a national, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges of multiple ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions. This includes leaders in fisheries, aquaculture, offshore resources, bioresources, transportation, marine renewables, defence, and ocean technologies who are committed to leveraging collective strengths and working together. For more information visit www.oceansupercluster.ca
Media Contact
Nancy Andrews
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Diane Hollman and Kaitlyn Hickey Join Ocean Supercluster Team
Diane joins the team in the capacity of Technology Leadership Program Manager where she will support the development of technology leadership projects. Diane has extensive professional experience covering project management, operations, and business development, and has broad international experience from working for multi-national corporations in Canada and the U.S.A.
Kaitlyn joins the team in the capacity of Communications Specialist where she will focus on content development and support the delivery of OSC’s marketing and communications activity. Kaitlyn will draw on her experience across transportation, oil and gas, and public sectors in writing and editing, media relations, and communications planning.
Welcome to the newest OSC team members!
NEW OCEAN SUPERCLUSTER OPPORTUNITY – Ocean Supercluster Resilience (OSCR) Call for Proposals
A very happy new year from the OSC team!
Join us on January 25, 2021 for an information session on our newest program: Ocean Supercluster Resilience (OSCR) Call for Proposals – launching next week!
This information session is open to the public – all are welcome.
English Webinar: Jan 25th, 1:00pm AST: Register here: Ocean Supercluster Resilience (OSCR) Call for Proposals: English Webinar Tickets, Mon, 25 Jan 2021 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
French Webinar: Jan 25th, 2:30pm AST: Register here: Ocean Supercluster Resilience (OSCR) Call for Proposals: French Webinar Tickets, Mon, 25 Jan 2021 at 2:30 PM | Eventbrite
For questions regarding the webinar, please email us at contact@oceansupercluster.ca
Digital Offshore Canada – Zones extracôtières numérique du Canada
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces Digital Offshore Canada Project
(St. John’s, NL) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, alongside project partners, announced its Digital Offshore Canada Project with a total value of $18 million. The project will create a platform for the development, validation and commercialization of digital twins for a range of applications in Canada’s offshore as well as for other ocean industries, while also building capabilities to support the increasingly digital ocean economy and the future opportunities it presents.
Watch the live announcement here, starting at: 30:05
The Digital Offshore Canada Project will be led by Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador (PRNL) together with project partners Hatch Ltd, MNP, Virtual Marine, GRI Simulations and in collaboration with Memorial University, applying industry best practice with a staged approach beginning with defining the project scope valued at $1.4 million, followed by project development and execution with the balance of the project value allocated to this work. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will provide up to $9 million in funding for all phases of the project matched by $9 million in commitments from the industry partners.
This Ocean Supercluster project will accelerate the digitalization of Canada’s ocean industries where users will have the access to real operational data, 3D assets, and analytical tools. The project has brought together local technology companies in partnership with large scale industry members to accelerate the use of digital twins in Canada’s ocean industries. A digital twin is a virtual replica of a real-world asset or process that can deliver enhanced safety, reduced operating costs, increased production, and reduced carbon emissions through production optimization. Partner SMEs will gain from faster product design and new market and growth opportunities as a result of their participation in the project, and 30 new jobs will be created over the life of the project.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions that will help drive sustainable and inclusive ocean growth in Canada.
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Quotes
“The Ocean Supercluster is driving innovation in the ocean economy by investing in areas where Canada has a competitive edge. I’m glad to see that this new project, which includes two small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will help meet our Government’s goal of encouraging a data-driven, digital economy across all our key sectors,” said The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Atlantic Canada is a global leader in ocean technology. The Ocean Supercluster builds on that strength, so that our companies can take on the world, and thrive here at home.” The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources
“In an increasingly digital ocean economy, the Ocean Supercluster is excited to announce the Digital Offshore Canada Project that will help transform our offshore through digitalization. Led by PRNL, this project brings together local SMEs in ocean technology with multinationals in offshore oil and gas to develop and commercialize digital solutions that will help shape the future of energy, create jobs, and support a lower carbon economy.”Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Digital twins are one of the most potent digital technologies to make operations safer, more productive and more efficient. We think the Digital Offshore Canada Project is going to be a major springboard for their development and use in our offshore.” Dave Finn, CEO, Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador
“Hatch is excited to collaborate with PRNL and our industry partners on such an important project for both the offshore oil and gas industry and for Atlantic Canada. Digitalization and the use of digital twins are key enablers for driving operational efficiencies in the offshore sector—a crucial element that will help us achieve GHG emission reductions while improving the overall economic performance. The Digital Offshore Canada Project will help to develop a world class digitalization capability in the region and will support the broader ocean economy.” Mark Cumby, Hatch Regional Director, Energy, Eastern Canada.
“As a subsea simulation company, interfacing and integrating with leading marine technologies has been at the core of GRi’s research and development initiatives for the past two decades, and we are extremely pleased with the innovation and growth opportunities represented by the DOC partnership for our company and the Canadian ocean industry sector at large.” Russell Pelley, President, GRi Simulations Inc.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of such a great initiative, and to be pushing the boundaries of digital twin technology. Our core values and focus within MNP’s Technology Solutions revolve around cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation and digital transformation – these are essential for the success of this project, and consequently why we saw immediate alignment in partnering with the OSC to support the growth of small-medium business, and the Atlantic economy through the digitalization of Canada’s oceans industries.” Sean Murphy, Partner, MNP National Digital Services Lead
“Virtual Marine is thrilled to be part of the Digital Ocean Canada Ocean Supercluster project. The project shows the visionary thinking of the local industry as the use of digital technologies such as simulators provide value in improving operational efficiency, knowledge and safety. The project will demonstrate the capabilities of a combined team of ocean expertise in Atlantic Canada and has immediate and long term benefits to our economy through the creation of new jobs and new technologies.” Anthony Patterson, Virtual Marine President and CEO
“DOC is a fantastic opportunity to digitally transform our offshore. Collaboration and digitalization are two key criteria to revolutionize our oceans and economy. Collaboration across business sectors, industries, and academia will ensure that we’re developing today and tomorrow’s talent.” Lesley James, Associate Professor, Memorial University
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces the Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project
One of Four Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program Projects Announced Today
Watch the video announcement here…
Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced four new projects with a total value of $4.5 million from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream. Included in these new projects is the Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project, led by Ontario and Nova Scotia based Sensor Technology Ltd. This made in Canada solution will create new domestic and export opportunities, supply chain opportunities, and create 15 new jobs. The data derived from this project will support additional ocean technology opportunities for Canada.
The growth in market demand for unmanned underwater and surface ocean platforms to replace crewed vessels in remote and harsh environments has created a challenge for platform developers to source qualified acoustic sonar technologies customized to their specific mission requirements. With only two global competitors offering miniaturized piezocomposite transducers, and only one fully integrated provider, platform developers are limited in their ability to source suppliers to meet current demand. Piezocomposite transducers offer several advantages over other products, but ultimately provide higher quality and more reliable underwater images.
With a total project value of $906,700, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $566,000 in funding for the project, with the balance coming from industry partners. The Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project is led by Sensor Technologies with partners NorthEastern Micro, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc, and Dr. Christopher Purcell. This project will develop specialized skillsets and provide the opportunity for experience in new techniques and help in the development of future workforce.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.
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Quotes
“The Ocean Supercluster is driving innovation in the ocean economy by investing in areas where Canada has a competitive edge. The four projects announced today demonstrate the depth of expertise that the Supercluster is fostering within the ocean economy, ranging from smart, green electricity grids to artificial intelligence-informed seafood traceability.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The projects we are funding under the Ocean Supercluster will play a vital role in Canada’s emerging blue economy. Improving underwater imaging and offshore infrastructure inspections will allow us to grow our marine industries more safely and sustainably. Our government will continue to invest in ocean science and technology, so we can get more Canadians working on and in our oceans.” The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“With a growing demand for acoustic radar technologies in ocean, we are excited to announce the Miniaturized Sonar Transducers Project with an investment of more than $500,000, creating new domestic and export opportunities, supply chain opportunities, and 15 new jobs.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Blue Economy, and we are thrilled to be contributing to Canada’s Ocean Nation through this project. With this support from the Ocean Supercluster, we will be able to get to market faster as the only fully made-in-Canada solution of customized acoustic sensors for unmanned vessels.” Niru Somayajula, President & CEO, Sensor Technology Ltd
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces the Ontario-Led Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project
One of Four Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program Projects Announced Today
Watch the video announcement here…
Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced four new projects with a total value of $4.5 million from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream including the Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project. This Ontario-led project brings together SMEs and other partners in ocean innovation to provide cost-effective integration of ocean energy generators into communities.
With a total project value of $975,000, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $633,750 in funding for the project, with $341,250 coming from industry partners. The Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project is led by BMT partnered with Sustainable Marine, University of Victoria, Rainhouse, and Turtle Island Innovation and together they will commercialize the integration of ocean energy solutions to help reduce the dependence of diesel power generation in rural communities and increase the opportunity for use of renewable sources of energy.
The Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project will develop a single controller that has algorithms for different communities, whereas currently there is a bespoke design for each community. With this solution, algorithms are selected and parameterized based on ratings of the equipment. The development of this technology will not only support the greening of energy for communities of all sizes with global market opportunity, but it will also create new economic activity, build capabilities in ocean energy smart grid integration, and create five new jobs.
The International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Programme on Ocean Energy Systems (OES) recently released a report called Ocean Energy in Islands and Remote Coastal Areas, which highlights the market opportunity for ocean energy technologies in remote areas due to the high cost of electricity, as is it is often supplied by diesel generators, and where the electricity demand is small, infrastructure such as submarine cables to connect to utility networks cannot be economically justified.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.
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“The Ocean Supercluster is driving innovation in the ocean economy by investing in areas where Canada has a competitive edge. The four projects announced today demonstrate the depth of expertise that the Supercluster is fostering within the ocean economy, ranging from smart, green electricity grids to artificial intelligence-informed seafood traceability.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The projects we are funding under the Ocean Supercluster will play a vital role in Canada’s emerging blue economy. Improving underwater imaging and offshore infrastructure inspections will allow us to grow our marine industries more safely and sustainably. Our government will continue to invest in ocean science and technology, so we can get more Canadians working on and in our oceans.” The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“The Ocean Energy Smart Grid Integration Project is an exciting new project from our Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program that will not only deliver new economic activity in ocean, but also help deliver environmental benefits by increasing the opportunity for renewable energy in communities of all sizes.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“We are excited to partner with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and our teammates at Sustainable Marine to further the development of a smart electrical grid solution for remote communities using ocean energy generators. The Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program of the Ocean Supercluster is providing a unique opportunity to advance a truly innovative system that we believe has the potential to transform energy distribution in remote coastal communities.” Darcy Byrtus, President of BMT in Canada
“This technology partnership has the potential to address energy challenges experienced by remote and island communities in Canada, and around the world. These challenges include economic vulnerability due to the volatility of fuel prices, a lack of supplier diversity, higher likelihoods of disruption, and high carbon footprints. The team at Sustainable Marine have demonstrated that we can produce clean and predictable power from tidal streams, and we are looking forward to working with BMT and the rest of team to turn the power we produce into dispatchable power that can displace fossil fuel generation for island and remote coastal communities.” Jason Hayman, CEO of Sustainable Marine