UBC President Martha Piper announced today a gift of $500,000 from
Methanex Corporation to help the Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC)
at UBC.
"Methanex’s involvement will position CERC to conduct leading-edge
research that will have a positive impact on the quality of our
air," Piper said. "Methanex’s support is testament that
CERC will be an important player in developing technology to reduce
emissions and alternative fuels for transportation."
The gift, matched by UBC, will establish the Methanex Professorship
in Clean Energy Research. The first holder of the Professorship
will be Dr. Bob Evans, currently director of CERC and known internationally
for his work in reducing exhaust emissions from internal combustion
engines. Dr. Evans will lead a team of world-class researchers currently
looking into a range of alternative and renewable energy sources,
including natural gas and hydrogen for internal combustion engines,
fuel cell systems integration, bioconversion of wood wastes to fuel,
and advanced hydrogen production methods.
"The Clean Energy Research Centre at UBC is a tremendous initiative,
one that we believe can greatly impact clean energy research technology
and innovation, and continue to establish Vancouver’s reputation
as a world leader in the area," said Pierre Choquette, President
and CEO of the Methanex Corporation.
Ron Britton, Senior Vice-President President for Emerging Energy
Applications at the Vancouver-based Methanex Corporation, said,
"The decision to invest in CERC became clear when we considered
the powerhouse of researchers in the Centre who have already demonstrated
their ability to produce the type of research and technological
innovation that can be commercially viable and effective."
About 17 faculty members from three departments in UBC’s Faculty
of Applied Science are currently involved with CERC.
"While corporations can conduct some research in-house, the
difference here is that CERC will bring together engineers from
many disciplines and others at UBC to pursue full systems research,"
said Britton. "While cognizant of the need to commercialize,
academic researchers will take a longer term view of the process
of innovation which can lead to some interesting and unanticipated
results."
Dr. Evans and a team of leading researchers, who were recently
successful in attracting $3.6 million from the Canada Foundation
for Innovation, established CERC last year. "Methanex’s support
will go a long way in enabling us to conduct much-needed energy
research to continue to pursue technological solutions to improve
the environment," said Evans.
Methanex Corporation (www.methanex.com)
is an industry leader in emerging energy applications and the world’s
largest producer and marketer of methanol.
Note to editors:
President Piper is scheduled to speak on the Methanex Professorship
in Clean Energy Research as part of the opening plenary of the Pacific
Energy Innovation Association Forum (www.pacificenergyforum.org),
taking place April 21-23, 2002, at the Vancouver Convention and
Exhibition Centre. The forum attracts world leaders in energy efficiency
and innovation. Dr. Bob Evans will be keynote speaker on Monday,
April 22.
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