Two Burnaby-based companies are raking in provincial funding for their development of projects focused on clean energy.
The companies are receiving support from the province’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund through CleanBC. The program is intended to provide backing for made-in-B.C. innovations that help grow B.C.’s clean technology sector.
Advanced Intelligent Systems is receiving $950,000 to develop a driverless battery-driven cart-pulling system for outdoor on-site transportation of carts and wagons in a plant nursery. According to a press release this technology will reduce worker injuries by automating repetitive and labour-intensive tasks in the horticulture industry.
Nano One is receiving just over $3 million to develop an industrial process for producing low-cost, high-performance batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and a wide range of other advanced nanotechnologies for EVs.
This is not Nano One’s first time receiving government support for its work. Nano One received $2 million in seed funding in 2015 from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and another $5 million also from SDTC in 2019.
"Investing in clean technology helps create good jobs for people in an innovative and growing sector," said Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed. "Our CleanBC plan ensures we are taking action on climate change by supporting clean energy projects like these two in Burnaby, while building an economy that works for people."
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation says these Burnaby projects showcase the value of new and innovative clean energy products.
“They demonstrate we are well on our way in meeting our climate pollution reduction goals," Ralston said.
Projects funded by SDTC are a part of B.C. and Canada's $40-million Joint Call Partnership launched in March 2017 to support the development of pre-commercial clean energy projects and technologies.
