ARCHIVED - Sustainable Development

Report on Plans and Priorities 2011-2012
Electronic Layer of Reporting
Elements of NRCan's Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants

Reduce air pollutants in order to maintain or improve air quality across the country and achieve the emission targets which are currently under development in consultations with provinces and stakeholders.

FSDS Implementation Strategy - Clean Transportation

2.1.23 Undertake research, development and deployment of new technologies to reduce GHGs. (NRCan)

You will find below details about NRCan's activities that contribute to this implementation strategy:

Clean Energy Science and Technology

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 2 - 
  Environmental Responsibility
  
  
  • Program Activity 2.1 - 
    Clean Energy
    
    
    • Sub Activity 2.1.3 - 
      Clean Energy Science and Technology
      
      

Description

Knowledge and technologies are needed to enable Canada's transition to a clean energy economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under Sub Activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology (PAA 2.1.3), NRCan funds and undertakes - in partnership with experts in the private, public and academic sectors - the advancement of science and technology solutions that can help to achieve a clean energy system. This work includes generating new knowledge and developing and demonstrating technologies related to clean energy priority areas of transportation, buildings and communities, industry, power generation, bioenergy as well as medical isotopes. This ultimately contributes to clean water, clean air and sustainable land use by improving environmental responsibility in Canadian clean energy production, conversion and end-use.

Relationship to FSDS Target

The advancement of key clean energy science and technology in Canada will provide long-term solutions to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutant emissions from energy production, conversion and end-use. Thus, Sub Activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology contributes indirectly to FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

FY 2011-2012.

Expected Result and Indicators (Sub Activity 2.1.3)

The advancement of clean energy knowledge and technologies that addresses the needs of partners and stakeholders.

• Ratio of total government investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration versus leveraging funding from partners.
• Scientific knowledge and information (e.g. refereed publications and presentations, and technical and client reports etc.) disseminated to our clients and partners (e.g. industry, other government departments and agencies, other governments, associations, universities and non-governmental organizations).
• Number of published and/or revised standards and codes.

Outputs and Indicators (Sub Activity 2.1.3)

Establish partnerships to research, develop and demonstrate technologies that align with stakeholder clean energy goals.

Review proposals and approve projects.

Review and assess project progress and results.

• Number of partnerships (e.g. contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, projects etc.) established to research, develop and demonstrate clean energy technologies.
• Percentage of project proposals reviewed and assessed.
• Percentage of projects monitored and reviewed.

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology further contributes to FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants through one other implementation strategy:

• 2.1.16 - ecoACTION programs reduce GHG emissions and can directly or indirectly contribute to air pollutant emission reduction.

This Sub Activity also contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation through the following implementation strategies:

• 1.1.5 - Undertake and deliver scientific research and reporting in support of regulatory and other programs, including data analysis, inventory development, monitoring, modeling and assessment of the effectiveness of efforts as well as research on options, costs and benefits, and technology assessments;
• 1.1.26 - Supply financial aid and develop capacity to reduce GHGs through adoption of emission reducing technologies and practices;
• 1.1.27 - Use the Program on Energy Research and Development (PERD) to research and develop energy technologies that will reduce GHG emissions;
• 1.1.28 - Use the Clean Energy Fund for transitioning the energy sector by developing and demonstrating new technologies that will reduce GHG emissions;
• 1.1.37 - Undertake research, development and deployment of new technologies to reduce GHGs.

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Green Mining Initiative

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 2 - 
  Environmental Responsibility
  
  
  • Program Activity 2.2 - 
    Ecosystem Risk Management
    
    
    • Sub Activity 2.2.1 - 
      Green Mining Initiative
      
      

Description

Recognizing the need for innovative technological solutions to advance sustainable mining, the Green Mining Initiative (GMI) (PAA 2.2.1) was launched in 2009 as a proactive effort to improve Canada’s mining environmental performance. GMI research aims to find alternative means for waste disposal, reduced water use and protection of air quality at all stages of the mining cycle.

As an example, NRCan collaborated with Canadian mining equipment manufacturer Mining Technologies International to develop the world’s first hybrid mining vehicle - a diesel-electric scoop tram, which has a significant positive impact on the economic viability and competitiveness of underground mining operations and energy costs associated with ventilation as well as the health of mine workers. Activities going forward in the next three years will be aimed at transitioning from the first world-wide prototype to a pre-commercial scoop tram model.

Relationship to FSDS Target

Extending the life of a mine often means extracting from greater depths. Ventilation is one of the most significant operating costs, and uses of energy, in deep as well as shallow mines. Because it always burns fuel in optimal engine conditions and that its peak power demand is supplied by batteries, the hybrid scoop tram can achieve greater efficiency and much lower emissions compared to similar size conventional equipment performing the same tasks. As a result, it uses less carbon-based fuel and requires less energy-intensive ventilation and air heating / air conditioning to maintain the same air quality for miners. Thus, promotion of adoption of the scoop tram, under Sub Activity - Green Mining Initiative, indirectly contributes to FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

FY 2013-2014.

Indicator

• Number of underground hybrid equipment used in Canada.

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Green Mining Initiative also contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation through the following implementation Strategy:

• 1.1.22 - Continue to work with industry stakeholders to encourage and promote the adoption and adaptation of new technologies such as information and communications technologies, biotechnology and clean energy technology.