Three technologically advanced businesses based in Burnaby opened their doors recently for TED.
D-Wave Systems, General Fusion and Inventys Thermal Technologies showed their stuff off for the 30th anniversary of TED Talks, which was held in Vancouver from March 17 to 24.
As the Burnaby NOW previously reported, D-Wave is the world’s premier developer of quantum computers backed by the CIA, Lockheed Martin and others. Each computer sells for about $10 million.
Burnaby’s Inventys Thermal Technologies – which recently announced that Nobel physicist Steven Chu, former first energy secretary to U.S. President Barack Obama, joined the board – has developed a way to capture carbon dioxide from heat to sell it back to the oil and gas industry.
General Fusion also allowed a tour through its facility in the city, where it is still in the middle of developing a commercially viable fusion reactor.
Michel Laberge, General Fusion’s chief scientist, also presented during the third session of TED at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
If you weren’t interested in paying the $7,500 ticket, or did but didn’t make it past the application round, you can watch the talks for free at www.ted.com/talks.
– With files from the Vancouver Sun
Ovation Awards
Three Burnaby businesses have made it as finalists in the 2014 Ovation Awards.
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association recently announced the finalists for the fifth annual awards, recognizing excellence in design, construction and renovation.
“Homeowners in Metro Vancouver demand the very best when it comes to the design and construction of their homes,” said Bob de Wit, the association’s CEO, in a media release. “We are proud to be working with world-class builders, designers and renovators.”
Burnaby’s Marble Construction Ltd. has been nominated for Best Custom Home: $750,000 to $1.5 million for its project on Bewicke Avenue.
Allaire Properties Easton Inc. is the only finalist for its award, Best Multi-Family Lowrise Development.
TQ Construction Ltd. is a finalist in one of the Grand Ovation Awards, as it’s in the running for Renovator of the Year: Large Volume.
The winners will be announced at the awards gala on April 26.
For more information about the awards, visit www.ovationawards.ca.
Climate Smart
One of the 10 largest credit unions in the province recently announced it achieved Climate Smart certification for 2013.
G&F Financial took a series of actions to obtain the certification, including reducing garbage emissions by 28 per cent; reducing material emissions by 17 per cent; and reducing heat emissions by 20 per cent.
“We are continually working on reducing our emissions and have drafted a reductions plan for the upcoming year aimed at reducing waste, electricity, staff commuting, and paper,” said Bill Kiss andJeff Shewfelt, co-CEOs of G&F, in a media release.
Climate Smart is a local social enterprise that works with organizations to reduce carbon emissions through training, tips, software and provides certification.
For more, visit www.climatesmartbusiness.com.
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