The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) has received $1 million in federal funding for a new innovation hub. The hub will be an extension of PTRC, focusing on research and development, testing technologies, as well as evaluating potential energy projects. Terry Duguid, the minister of PrairiesCan, made the funding announcement at PTRC on Friday. He said the centre is focused on a sustainable and energy efficient future. “The world wants low carbon energy, sustainable energy. Those kind of technologies are developed here. It’s going to create the jobs of the future for our young people,” he said. Since 1998, PTRC has been looking to find ways to reduce the carbon footprint, as well as increase the production of sub-surface energy. Ranjith Narayanasamy is the president and CEO of PTRC. He said the centre already has plans for what they want to do with the funds. “The money will be utilized for some new recruitments. Also, some of the demonstration projects we want to do. There will also be some Indigenous components,” he said. PTRC has researched and explored various power and energy initiatives including carbon capture and storage, blue hydrogen, and geothermal energy. Duguid said the future research and development is intended for the province and environment. The impacts of climate change are being felt here in the prairies. Floods, draughts, hail, you name it,” he said. “That’s what today’s announcement is about, supporting these technologies.” The New Innovation Hub will host some of the most specialized equipment related to energy RD&D in Canada.
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