Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced an investment of CAD 2.3 million for two projects at the University of Manitoba to support innovation in Western Canada.
With federal funding of $1.8 million, the University of Manitoba’s Technology Transfer Office will lead a pan-western consortium of Western Canadian Innovation Offices (WCIO) that will address the issues identified by industry in the West. Through this consortium, academic institutions and other research-based organizations from across the West will partner to collaboratively drive opportunities for innovation and research.
At the Engineering Faculty, an investment of $500,000 will support the testing of hydrokinetic turbines for global marine renewable energy markets. The Faculty will use funds to develop and calibrate new tools, systems and technologies to test prototype hydrokinetic turbines in fast rivers in Manitoba, as well as marine tides off the coast of Vancouver Island. Through this innovative work, new commercialization opportunities will be developed for the global marine energy market.