Fusion Technology – OUR GREAT MINDS

Leading the Charge: Top 15 Ways Energy Companies Can Decarbonize

Tina Olivero — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:24:24 +0000

Hello there, readers! Tina Olivero here, and today we’re delving into one of the most pressing issues facing the energy industry: decarbonization. As we’re all aware, the global conversation around sustainability and climate change is gaining momentum, and it’s imperative that energy companies step up to the plate and drive the transition towards a greener, more sustainable future. So, without further ado, let’s explore the top 15 ways energy companies can decarbonize:

Embrace Renewable Energy Sources:
Make the switch to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Energy Efficiency Improvements:
Implement energy-efficient technologies and practices throughout operations to minimize energy wastage and lower carbon footprint.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
Invest in CCS technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and store them underground, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

Electrification of Transportation:
Support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and invest in EV charging infrastructure to decrease reliance on fossil fuels in the transportation sector.

Sustainable Bioenergy:
Explore the use of sustainable biomass and biofuels as viable alternatives to fossil fuels, ensuring responsible sourcing practices to mitigate environmental impact. Energy

Storage Solutions:
Invest in energy storage technologies like batteries and pumped hydro storage to facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid.

Smart Grid Technologies:
Deploy smart grid technologies to optimize energy distribution, minimize energy losses, and support the seamless integration of renewable energy sources.

Energy Conservation Programs:
Implement energy conservation programs to incentivize consumers and businesses to reduce energy consumption through education and incentives.

Green Building Practices:
Adopt green building practices in construction and renovation projects to enhance energy efficiency and decrease emissions from buildings.

Carbon Offsetting:
Invest in carbon offset projects, such as reforestation and renewable energy initiatives, to counterbalance your company’s carbon emissions.

Circular Economy Initiatives:
Embrace circular economy principles by minimizing waste generation, promoting recycling, and designing products for longevity and recyclability.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management:
Collaborate with suppliers to ensure the sustainability of raw materials and decrease emissions across the supply chain.

Carbon Pricing:
Advocate for carbon pricing mechanisms that internalize the cost of carbon emissions and encourage emission reductions.

Research and Development:
Allocate resources to research and development efforts aimed at developing innovative decarbonization technologies and solutions.

Collaboration and Advocacy:
Collaborate with industry peers, policymakers, and stakeholders to advocate for policies and initiatives that support decarbonization efforts on a broader scale.

By implementing these strategies, energy companies can play a pivotal role in leading the charge toward a low-carbon future while simultaneously creating value for shareholders, customers, and society as a whole. It’s time to take action, drive change, and pave the way for a cleaner, greener energy landscape. Together, we can make a meaningful impact!

This is Tina Olivero signing off for Our Great Minds. Stay tuned for more insights on the latest trends and developments in the energy industry here at TheOGM.com. Let’s continue to create boundaries and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.

Pioneering Decarbonization: Strategies for Oil & Gas Companies, Major Contractors, & Suppliers

Tina Olivero — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:01:29 +0000

Hello OGM readers! Tina Olivero here, and today we’re delving into a topic that’s crucial for the oil and gas industry and its key stakeholders: decarbonization. As the world shifts towards a more sustainable future, oil and gas companies, major contractors, and suppliers must take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint and drive positive change. Let’s explore specific strategies tailored to each of these key players:

Oil and Gas Companies:

Invest in Renewable Energy: Diversify your energy portfolio by investing in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, and bioenergy. This not only reduces carbon emissions but also future-proofs your business against the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Optimize Operations: Implement advanced technologies and best practices to optimize oil and gas extraction processes, minimize methane leaks, and reduce energy consumption in operations.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Explore opportunities for CCS technologies to capture and store carbon emissions from your operations, thereby mitigating your environmental impact.
Transition to Cleaner Fuels: Gradually transition towards cleaner fuels such as natural gas, which emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to coal and oil.
Enhance Energy Efficiency: Continuously improve energy efficiency across operations, including refineries and petrochemical plants, through upgrades and process optimizations.

Major Contractors:

Promote Green Technologies: Advocate for the adoption of green technologies and practices in oil and gas projects, such as energy-efficient equipment and low-emission processes.
Supply Chain Collaboration: Collaborate with oil and gas companies to develop and implement sustainable supply chain practices, including responsible sourcing of materials and reduced emissions in transportation.
Innovative Solutions: Invest in research and development to develop innovative solutions that reduce emissions during project execution, such as advanced drilling techniques and emissions-reducing technologies.
Efficient Project Management: Implement efficient project management practices that prioritize sustainability, including minimizing waste generation and optimizing resource utilization.
Education and Training: Provide education and training programs for employees to increase awareness of sustainability issues and promote the adoption of eco-friendly practices.

Suppliers:

Sustainable Sourcing: Adopt sustainable sourcing practices by prioritizing suppliers that adhere to environmental standards and certifications, and promote responsible extraction and production methods.
Energy-Efficient Products: Offer energy-efficient products and services to oil and gas companies, major contractors, and other clients to help them reduce their carbon footprint.
Carbon Footprint Reduction: Implement measures to reduce your own carbon footprint, such as optimizing transportation routes and reducing energy consumption in manufacturing processes.
Circular Economy Initiatives: Embrace circular economy principles by promoting product reuse, recycling, and waste reduction throughout the supply chain.
Collaborative Innovation: Collaborate with oil and gas companies and major contractors to develop and implement innovative solutions that reduce emissions across the entire value chain.

By implementing these tailored strategies, oil and gas companies, major contractors, and suppliers can play a pivotal role in driving decarbonization efforts within the industry. Rather than wait to be mandated to do “the right thing” adopt a culture of corporate responsibility that is self-governed and proactive in the quest to reach net zero. Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future while ensuring continued growth and prosperity for all stakeholders involved.

This is Tina Olivero signing off for TheOGM.com. Let’s continue to lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable energy industry!

ECO Canada Wage Funding: The Catalyst for Environmental Industry Success

Tina Olivero — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:44:35 +0000

Are you an employer looking to attract new talent while saving on initial wage and training costs? Look no further than ECO Canada’s wage funding programs.

ECO Canada is a non-profit organization that provides workforce solutions for environmental employers. They offer various funding programs to help employers attract new talent, save initial wage and training costs, and stimulate environmental career pathways, skill development, business growth, and workforce advancement.

For over 30 years, ECO Canada has been connecting environmental employers and skilled junior talent through wage and training funding programs to drive valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills development.

It’s a beautiful world – Let’s keep it that way with ECO.ca

Thanks to the support of funders:
Natural Resources Canada,
Climate Change Canada,
Social Development Canada, and
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

Investing in our workforce because we care about our planet.

ECO Canada offers wage dollars to increase funding capacity and support your business participation in the green economy. In helping your team with wage and training costs, Eco Canada makes hiring new talent more attractive.

Benefits for Employers:

Increase work capacity
Access talented youth with new ideas & skills
Increase employee retention
Reduce staff training costs
Strengthen overall business operations
Support the growth of new qualified environmental workers

Apply for Wage Funding at Eco Canada – Eco.ca

The funding programs offered by ECO Canada are varied and provide many options for companies and new employees in the climate-conscious realm. Some of the programs include:

Environmental Jobs Growth Program:

This program is designed to help employers create new environmental jobs. Eligible employers can receive 75% of the candidate’s wages covered up to a maximum of $18,750 for placements of up to 12 months.

Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program:

This program is designed to help employers hire foreign talent for environmental jobs. Eligible employers can receive 75% wage coverage up to $15,000 of a participant’s salary for full-time placements of 3 to 6 months.

Nature-Based Climate Solutions Program:

This program is designed to help employers create jobs related to nature-based climate solutions. Eligible employers can receive a $4,500 wage subsidy for a 3-month full-time or part-time placement. To qualify for these funding programs, employers must meet the following criteria:
Be a Canadian employer
Offer a full-time or part-time environmental job
Provide a safe and healthy work environment
Provide a fair and equitable work environment
Provide a job that is not part of a labor dispute
Provide a job that is not a self-employment opportunity

Discover a selection of wage funding programs offered by ECO Canada at ECO.ca. Explore the programs that can help your company attract new talent, and reduce initial wage and training expenses, while promoting the growth of environmental career paths, skill development, business growth, and workforce advancement.

RESPONDING TO THE ENERGY INDUSTRY – In an Eco-Friendly Way

ECO Canada has partnerships, programs, and research to support employers, professionals, educators, and students in the environmental sector. Visit eco.ca to learn about the various resources and programs that fit your organization.

These funding programs help employers create new environmental jobs, hire foreign talent, and create jobs related to nature-based climate solutions. To apply for these funding programs, employers must meet eligibility criteria and fill out an application form on ECO.ca.

For those looking to work in the new sustainable energy world, don’t miss out on this opportunity to kickstart your environmental career journey and gain meaningful work experience.

Find out more at: www.ECO.ca

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories: Collaborate on Nuclear Research With CNL, AECL & Western University

Tina Olivero — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 12:45:11 +0000

Feb. 15, 2023

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Canada’s nuclear Crown corporation, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Western University to pursue collaborative research opportunities. Both CNL and AECL have made it an organizational priority to cultivate closer relationships with Canada’s academic community, and this MOU with Western University represents the fifth agreement with a growing list of universities designed to advance collaborative research in health and environmental sciences, clean energy and nuclear safety.

The agreement includes an extensive list of focus areas where the organizations will collaborate, including imaging and radiopharmaceuticals; cybersecurity; high-performance computing and artificial intelligence; hydrogen; materials science and degradation; decommissioning and waste management; and advanced and small modular reactors, fuels and power grids. The agreement is intended to nurture closer relationships with Western’s research community, enable knowledge mobilization, spur innovation and the development of intellectual property, and provide solutions that address national and industry challenges.

“Last year, CNL released a new corporate strategy, known as Vision 2030, where we announced our plans to pursue closer relationships with Canada’s academic community, including research-oriented universities like Western University,” commented Dr. Jeff Griffin, CNL’s Vice-President of Science and Technology. “A few short months later, we have made incredible progress towards that vision, culminating in this most recent agreement. Overall, there are tremendous advantages to this collaborative approach to research for all parties, whether it is sharing scientific and technical data, leveraging complementary resources, or developing new capabilities, and that is the motivation behind this new partnership with Western University.”

“AECL and CNL are uniquely positioned to bring together the foundational research undertaken at Western University, with private industry needs in innovation,” commented Amy Gottschling, Vice-President, Science, Technology and Commercial Oversight at AECL. “Together, we can leverage our complementary expertise and capabilities to bring technologies to bear to solve our nation’s greatest challenges.”

“This is an exciting new partnership for Western – one that builds on over 20 years of nuclear research across three of our faculties: Engineering, Science, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry,” commented Dr. Dave Muir, Associate Vice-President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Western University. “This new partnership will support and provide funding for research projects as well as Chair opportunities in the areas of health, safety, security, energy, and the environment. It also will enable our students to have increased access to experiential learning, through research projects and internship opportunities.”

As one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities, the science carried out at Western University intersects with many of the projects underway at Canada’s national nuclear laboratories. The driving force behind the agreement is the shared interest in exploring collaboration opportunities based on these mutual fields of research, and helping foster the development of highly qualified people here in Canada. By providing better access to the unique facilities that are available at Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, CNL and AECL hope to contribute to the professional development of the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers and offer these students a more dynamic and rich learning experience.

The MOU with Western University aligns with CNL’s corporate strategy, Vision 2030, which identifies what CNL views as its central role within the future Canadian nuclear landscape. Serving as a national resource to all levels of government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community, CNL aims to work in concert with other organizations to help advance innovative Canadian products and services towards deployment, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, including its research projects and programs, please visit www.cnl.ca. If you would like to learn more about Vision 2030, please visit www.cnl.ca/vision2030.

About CNL

As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and working under the direction of AECL, CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL also serves as the nexus between the government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

About AECL

AECL is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. AECL enables nuclear science and technology, owns the Chalk River Laboratories and other sites, and manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. It oversees and evaluates CNL’s work through contracts.

In business since 1952, AECL designed and developed the fleet of CANDU nuclear reactors that serve Canada and five other countries. It also delivered more than one billion isotopes worldwide to detect and treat cancer. Today it delivers value for Canadians through supporting 14 federal departments and agencies, as well as the global nuclear industry.

For more information on AECL, visit www.aecl.ca.

About Western

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world applications. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

Clariant ready for faster, smarter catalyst research with high-tech upgrade of site in Japan

Siria Nielsen — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 14:52:20 +0000

Clariant’s Catalysts business unit continues to advance its R&D capabilities.

The company recently made a significant investment to modernize its research facility in Toyama, Japan, preparing it for faster, more efficient experimentation. In addition to being Clariant’s global competence center for nickel-based hydrogenation and styrene catalyst development, the Toyama site is also involved in other research fields, including custom catalysts, emission control, and emerging applications of power-to-x technologies.

Two key products developed in Toyama are Clariant’s NiSat^® powder catalysts for hydrogenation, and StyroMax^® styrene production catalysts. Capacity for synthesis and evaluation of NiSat catalysts has now more than doubled. This significantly accelerates new catalyst lead generation and scale-up, while application tests ensure products meet customer requirements. For styrene catalysts, a new test unit allows more accurate simulation of industrial reactor conditions in styrene production. This not only enhances Clariant’s capabilities in styrene catalyst development, but also strengthens cooperation with process licensors.

Marvin Estenfelder, Head of Global R&D at Clariant’s Business Unit Catalysts, commented, “The Toyama expansion is part of our strategy to steadily sharpen our R&D profile around the world. In 2020, we doubled the capacity of our high-throughput catalyst R&D center in Palo Alto, California. And earlier this year, we inaugurated our state-of-the-art R&D center at the new One Clariant Campus in Shanghai. These developments strengthen our research capacities globally and they allow us to respond faster to regional needs.”

Koji Ito, General Manager Clariant Catalysts Japan, added, “Clariant is committed to local R&D in key markets, like Japan, to capture regional trends and talents. We also maintain and actively seek to expand collaborations with universities in Japan who provide advanced research in catalysis.”

Founded in 1964, Clariant Catalysts Japan conducts R&D and production from its facilities in Toyama, as well as customer relations and technical services from its offices in Tokyo. The Toyama facility is one of Clariant Catalysts’ 10 global R&D centers, and the third largest of its 14 production bases.

Tina Olivero: New E-World Sales & Marketing Systems for Industrial Companies

Tina Olivero — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 04:20:00 +0000

The pandemic transformed how we stay connected. It changed how we share ideas and opportunities. People had to get creative, and they had to do it fast.

The result was a whole new E-World that ultimately will make us more versatile, globalized, and resilient.

When people stopped flying planes and the world pretty much shut down, people had to implement new business models for marketing, sales, hiring, investor relations, PR, supply/vendors and processes, partnerships, and more.

This new E-world means harnessing zoom and teams platforms and ensuring online meetings are connected and professional even if you were meeting from your bedroom.

While we now start to get back to a ‘new normal’ and travel becomes more available, the power of E-business will forever play a role in how we expand and grow from here forward.

See it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

Six E-Sales Opportunities To Grow Your Company In The New Digital World

If you want to sell a product or position your company for an important bid, how are you going to accomplish your goals in Covid times?

When we are working from home, using zoom, or dealing with outside distractions, how can we succeed? Those are the challenges of the day. It is a new challenge, to find ways to keep ourselves and our clients connected, online.

Believe it or not, with creativity and engagement, we can have an effective E-Work environment that can out-perform old sales models.

Think about it, less travel, more meetings, less cost, more communication. It adds up. Business is nothing more than a network of conversations. People who organize meetings effectively, stack meetings, and create an E-Flow work environment will win the game of the E-work world.
Building great relationships that create trust and rapport is still the foundation of any relationship. Having clients get to know, like, and trust you is key; so, the rules have not changed. Building rapport still means a professional appearance online and an appropriate zoom background. It means good communication, understanding your client, finding common ground, discovering needs, sharing experiences, matching mannerisms and speech, future pacing, and finding solutions.
Quickly adapting to this new E-World means recreating the outside world inside the computer world. It means finding new ways to connect and get personal with relationships so that there is a strong foundation of trust established online.
Computer advances and algorithms have taken over the laborious job of research and client acquisition. Business development costs came down, workflows became more efficient, and sales grow from there.
The E-world will expedite globalization, and before we know it, doing business anywhere in the world at any time will be an affordable proposition. Global commerce is emerging, and the opportunities are truly endless.
We must look into the future and see where nations will unite in common goals. Languages will merge, and borders and boundaries will fall away. Free markets will be the foundation of the global playing field of business as we grow exponentially with E-Business automation and processes.

PAAS – PUBLISHING AS A SERVICE

As publishers of a global energy magazine, The OGM served clients around the globe ensuring suppliers and energy companies got their message to the right market.

Publisher Tina Olivero says, “During the pandemic it became apparent that tradeshows and flying to meetings was not an option for us or our clients. E-meetings became the norm and suddenly, the world got much smaller. Client contact became easier, faster, and automated. Computer advances and algorithms took over the laborious job of research and client acquisition. Business development costs came down, workflows became more efficient, and sales took off for us. That would not have happened, except for the pandemic. Long story short, there’s a silver lining in everything, when we are willing to embrace the challenges, we then reap the rewards.”

PaaS is a client solution that searches out potential clients, matches content with buyer and seller and creates an automated lead generation system. Where traditional advertising could be hit and miss at times, PaaS connects those interested, with those selling and the computer algorithm does all the work of bringing them together. As a result, expanding into new markets is now affordable. Finding your exact right client is now easier. All of this is because of the new E-Work environment and computer AI.

Visionary Tina Olivero says, “The E-world will expedite globalization and before we know it, doing business anywhere in the world at any time, will be an affordable proposition. Global commerce is emerging, and the opportunities are truly endless.”

WHAT INDUSTRY SAYS

Ryan Burrowes, CEO of Warehouse Transport Group and head of Canada/Guyna operations said, “As a CEO of a growing logistics and investment company, I was in dire need of new digital technology to take my business online. We needed a marketing and sales enhancement solution and a way to scale. I found everything and more with Tina and TheOGM Agency team. Having lived all over the world, Tina is a visionary who sees things from a global perspective.

Our operations have a foothold in Guyana, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. So Tina and her team are a perfect fit for us. The OGM’s new digital business development solutions are strategic and sustainable for the new world order where everyone is doing business on Zoom.

The OGM digital tools come with algorithms and automation that provide us with a flow of never-ending, high-level opportunities to quote on new work. Not just any work but leads with key decision-makers for our business. That is invaluable. The OGM is a platform with new digital tools that we all need in a business in this day and age. This new digital game is entirely different and capitalizing on that makes for really exciting times. Tina and her team have gone over and above our contractual agreement and, honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s the people we want to work with. Already, I consider her a part of our family, for now, and for the future.”

Ryan Burrowes CEO, Warehouse Transport Group Canada-Guyana – WarehouseTransport.ca

New digital processes make things easier. Early adapters will create long-term sustainable companies.

PICK THE RIGHT PARTNERS

There are many companies out there that are trying to adapt online. For energy companies choosing the right partners who have extensive experience in the energy industry is key.

Tina Olivero says, “The most important part of outreach and communication right now is content. You have to partner with key marketing and sales people who speak “energy”. Otherwise you are trying to bring your clients into your world, with someone who does not understand your business and most importantly, doesn’t understand what your clients need. That’s a one way ticket to no success.

Aligining with The OGM as 30-year publishers of energy content, coupled with our digital media agency, makes The OGM a premium choice. When you have that level of business competence, communication is easy. Adapting with new digital processes and creating automations has to be routed in powerful words, which create powerful actions, which create powerful results. It’s that simple. These are truly incredible times. Reach out and lets what we can create.

www.TheOGM.com

About the Author Tina Olivero

Tina Olivero is a conscious entrepreneur, managing a publishing company – TheOGM.com, a digital media firm – DigitalCollateral.ca and a new Sales Engine company – TheOGM.ca. She has 30 years in the marketing and sales business in the energy sector. She is committed to energy and sustainable development with her Our Great Minds. This innovative magazine shares the great minds and collective intelligence that are combating climate change and eradicating carbon emissions.

Starvolt Power: Exclusive Agreement with Luoyang Northern

Tina Olivero — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 23:03:59 +0000

Advantagewon Oil Corp., is pleased to announce that it’s investee company, Starvolt Power Inc., a developer of technology utilizing flexible solar panels, and state of the art batteries, announced today it had signed an exclusive manufacturing partnership agreement with Luoyang Northern EK-Chor Motorcycle Co., LTD. This manufacturing partnership is an important step towards Starvolt’s expansion in becoming a global leader in providing low-cost energy solutions and Electric Vehicles.

Mr. Carlos Brasil, CEO of AOC stated: “This is a significant milestone for Starvolt. Securing this relationship with Luoyang plays an integral part in the company’s growth and sustainable mobility ecosystem. We are excited about what this partnership will offer to business’ and consumers alike in the ability to reduce their carbon footprint.”

As one of the largest Chinese manufacturers of electric cars, motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles, Luoyang brings advanced global production and testing, top tier Research & Development facilities, and first-class management and technical personnel. Luoyang will operate as the exclusive manufacturer for Starvolt-designed Advanced Electric Vehicles.

“We are pleased to have partnered with Starvolt. This agreement gives us the opportunity to expand globally,” said Victor Chen, Director of Global Business Development at Luoyang. “We can now offer Advanced Electric Vehicle products to a greater variety of consumer markets.”

As part of this partnership, Starvolt will launch an innovative line of Advanced Electric Vehicles featuring its solar technology, revolutionizing urban transportation. This exclusive agreement will also include the rebranding of Luoyang’s existing line-up of electric cars, motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles, under the Starvolt brand.

Increasing urban pollution has prompted Starvolt Power Inc. to develop a sustainable mobility ecosystem that will offer a complete suite of low-cost electrical vehicle products, and services, including proprietary hybrid on and off grid renewable power supply charging stations, enabling infinite and eco-friendly mobility to business and consumers.

About Starvolt Power Inc.

Starvolt Power Inc. is a energy solution company. Established in 2020, the Company is dedicated to providing low-cost energy solutions and sustainable mobility through our extensive and innovative product line-up of Advanced Electric Vehicles. The Company implements practical methodologies to transform concept designs into tangible outcomes that advance industry potential and sustainable logistics. To learn more about Starvolt please visit the Company website at http://www.starvolt.com/.

About Luoyang Northern EK-Chor Motorcycle Co., LTD

LUOYANG NORTHERN EK-CHOR MOTORCYCLE CO., LTD. (“Luoyang”) is an international independent corporation, specializing in the manufacturing of motorcycles and engines, such as ATV, electrical bicycle, electric generator, electric scooter, tricycle, and three-wheeled vehicle. Producing 1 million units per year. Established in 1992, the company advanced computerized technology and purchasing Hi-tech & robotic equipment from Japan, Germany, Italy, USA. Since 1993, a total investment of USD 40 million dollars have been added to build assembly, paint & coat, test workshop and a 40,000m2 integrated workshop which combines parts delivery, raw treatment, engine-build, total assembly and testing together.

About Advantagewon Oil Corp.

Advantagewon is focused on becoming a diverse energy producer. We currently have silos in oil, gas and solar. Advantagewon’s common shares are listed on the OTC Markets in the United States and on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) in Canada. Advantagewon is a member of the CSE Composite Index (CSE: AOC). For more information please visit www.aoc-oil.com.

Source & Images: starvolt.com

Publishers Opinion: What People Don’t Realize About the Oil and Gas Industry

Tina Olivero — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 12:16:27 +0000

Renewable energy relies on oil and gas for its very existence.

There is no renewable energy on the planet that has been built without the use of oil and gas.

Think construction of a wind farm ….and how that energy product requires trucks, cars, transport and clearly gas in tanks to build it.

Think aviation and how it requires oil and gas to make planes, choppers and other carriers as well as fuel them!

Think products and plastics and how they are required in the building of renewable structures like solar panels. Many components are made of… Petroleum.

Even basic office tools like the plastics used in computers require petroleum.
The phone in your hand is made from many types of petroleum plastics!

There is no renewable energy without the use of some type of oil and gas and it’s related products.

Oil and gas is the number one commodity on the planet…Why? Because it is in just about everything we make and in every project we are involved in.

This is not the time of renewable energy. This is the time where oil and gas bridge us to the development of new energy. It is NOT an either-or situation! Both are critical and essential to the other.

Oil and gas is the bridge to solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal and every other type of renewable energy source. None of them would exist nor could they be constructed and developed without oil and gas fuel and products.

Next time someone argues about oil and gas vs renewables realize it’s a non-issue! These are the facts. There is no renewable energy without oil and gas.

If Canada doesn’t get its priorities straight and focus on its position as being one the most powerful oil and gas producers in the world, we are going to be in really bad shape. Because if we are not supplying the world with oil and gas someone else will take our place and we will no longer hold the ticket to new energy at the levels we could!

Canada is ranked number three in the world of oil-producing nations. We must do everything in our power to maintain that position and to elevate it….which includes pipeline progress.

We must have pipelines that extend to the west and the east of Canada to get our oil to buying markets beyond the US! We can’t rely on the US anymore as our primary buying partner because as we have seen, the US has developed their own resources with their success in the Gulf and the incoming fracking industry. The reality is, they are becoming more energy independent and they need our oil less and less.

Selling oil and gas around the world means that we can diversify our portfolio! We can capitalize on globalization and the selling of oil and gas to the rest of the world from both sides of Canada. This would ensure that oil-producing provinces like Newfoundland are in a primary and powerful position for world oil demand. This would, in turn, create a further exploration and production offshore Newfoundland because more infrastructure, builds more infrastructure … that’s how it works!

We must realize that gas is a cleaner fuel and where there is gas there is oil and all of that must be cumulatively developed in order to sustain our current standard of living in Canada! If we don’t, our standard of living will drop dramatically. It already has the price of oil drop.

We all feel the pinch of a low oil price in Canada. It has affected every single one of us in some way shape or form. Let the drop of oil price be our strongest lesson and our strongest teacher ….in realizing that a nation without oil and gas is crippling to our economy, our livelihood and affects every single one of us.

Think about a nation without oil and gas and how that will stifle every other industry sector that we hope to develop, from renewables to new technology and other incoming industry sectors. Every one of them requires oil and gas to fuel them into existence. Every one of them requires strong financial companies to invest to build and to scale.

We must not throw away our strengths and try to replace it with a new and renewable powered world. It won’t work that way because that’s like trying to win the Olympics in hockey if the players don’t have hockey sticks. It’s like trying to write the number one hit song, without a voice to sing it. It’s like trying to create the best business plan with no financial backing to bring it to life. Get the picture?

We must build on our strengths and that’s how we will bring in the future of new energy! Anything less…. and we will have limited financial resources, tools and funds to elevate ourselves into new methodologies like renewables!

If there’s one smart thing we could do right now, it is to educate our nation about what life would be like if we developed our oil and gas industry to its highest capacity and brought in new energy.

And comparatively we need to educate our people on what life would be like without Canada’s oil and gas production and where Canada would be without it….so we have time to get it right. We would then understand that the outcome would be devastating!

The smartest thing we could do right now is using our PUBLICALLY-funded media channels like CBC to report and educate on these nationally impactful topics rather than write stories that diverts us from the important matters of the day!

The most important and pressing topic of the day is Canada’s oil and gas position and the development of Alberta’s oil and gas which allows us to hold our position as number three in the world of oil-producing nations!

Are we really going to allow environmentalists to stop oil and gas progress at the expense of bringing in our renewable energy? Is that a logical proposition?

In order to ‘really’ understand what’s going on in Canada, we have to look at the big picture and the big impacts and how they link to the future of the prosperity of this nation and the future for our kids.

Like it or not it’s oil and gas that will elevate us to the highest possible level of success.

Oil and gas is the pavement on the road to sustainable energy. It is the necessary fuel that will bring us to a clean energy future. It is the resource that will provide us with a global competitive advantage to sell into world markets and bring us the financial foundation we need in order to bring in emerging sectors like renewables and tech.

As for environmental concerns. EVERY SINGLE INDUSTRY has an environmental footprint, including renewables. Just building those projects impacts the environment in many and varied ways.

The reason why the oil and gas industry is the number one strongest sector on the planet in terms of safety and environmental stewardship is that of its income level.

The fact that the oil and gas industry is lucrative is the exact reason that it has allowed that sector to be environmentally conscious and proactively compliant. Even renewables won’t have that level of income to be that compliant environmentally. Wait until we get the results of renewable energy impacts in terms of their green footprint. They will be right up there with oil and gas and without the resources to be compliant at the level that oil and gas is.

Let’s get educated people. Let’s utilize the media in all it’s various channels to do so.

Let’s be assertive with our resources and don’t let minority voices who are paid with self-interested agendas sway us from our goals. Those minority groups advocating new energy should keep those funds for when their new energy projects come in to play. They are going to need them to be environmentally compliant themselves. It’s a costly business

Exploring clean nuclear energy technology in Canada

Tina Olivero — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 13:15:23 +0000

International Community Gathers in Ottawa
for Small Reactor Conference

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that the world’s small modular reactor (SMR) community gathered in Ottawa for the first International Generation IV and Small Reactor Conference (G4SR). The event was a three-day conference that served as a global forum on the future of nuclear energy. Co-hosted by CNL and the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS).

G4SR explored topics critical to the design, development and deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors, bringing together technical and non-technical industry experts for meaningful discussions relevant to Canada and the world.

The gathering of great minds seeking solutions to Canada’s new energy future!

With momentum and interest in SMRs growing within Canada and internationally, the G4SR conference came at an exciting time in the pursuit of new and innovative clean energy technologies. The next generation of advanced reactors and SMRs holds the promise of low-carbon energy for Canada, can be deployed in off-grid locations and features applications beyond electricity production, including desalination, hydrogen production, local area heating and process heat.

Many people also see small modular reactor technology as a key enabler to the continued expansion of renewable energy sources, providing the necessary baseload energy for intermittent sources such as solar or wind.

“With the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announcing that urgent changes are needed to prevent the worst effects of climate change, it’s more important than ever that we come together to advance clean energy technologies,” commented Mark Lesinski, CNL’s President and CEO. “I’m happy to report that Canada has made strong progress in the pursuit of SMR technology in recent years, which is reflected in the growth of the G4SR conference, an event that has evolved from a technical meeting into an international conference that explores matters of public policy and all areas of deployment.”

In addition to the engaging workshops, plenary sessions and technical program, G4SR will also serve as the venue for the release of the SMR Roadmap. Convened in 2017, the roadmap represents the culmination of a ten-month program of engagement with the nuclear industry, as well as potential willing end-users that include Northern and Indigenous communities and resource industry stakeholders, exploring a national path forward for these new nuclear technologies.

“There are still a lot of important questions that need to be answered as we work towards the deployment of SMRs here in Canada and around the world, around topics that include prototype testing, manufacturing, economic benefits, social licence challenges, integration with renewables, and long-term waste management,” commented Kathy McCarthy, CNL’s Vice-President of Research and Development. “It is our hope that this conference will facilitate these much-needed conversations, so we can continue to build momentum in the pursuit of these clean energy technologies.”

CNL has identified SMRs as one of seven strategic initiatives it is pursuing as part of its Long-Term Strategy, with the goal of siting an SMR on one of the sites it manages by 2026. Building on more than 60 years of experience in the development, deployment and support of nuclear technologies, CNL is now working to position itself as a global leader in SMR prototype testing and technology development support.

For more information on the international conference, please visit www.G4SR.org. If you would like more information on CNL’s small modular reactor program, please visit www.cnl.ca/smr.

As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology (S&T) organization Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) serves the nation as an enabler of business innovation and technology transfer. CNL fosters the development of highly qualified people for the knowledge economy to come.

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.

Source: www.cnl.ca

REAL-TIME GAS READINGS: Wearables, Connectivity, People Protection

Tina Olivero — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:50:39 +0000

CONNECTED SAFETY ALERTS SAVE LIVES

Gas alert, gas alert! Those are words you hope you never hear. Hazards left unchecked put people in danger. Your best chain of defence against unimaginable outcomes and explosions is to ensure that gas detection and monitoring is well thought out and executed in your organization.

Are you prepared?

Poisonous gas puts people at risk. Are you prepared?

WHO USES GAS DETECTORS?

At an industrial facility, on oil rigs, in manufacturing facilities, processing units, and throughout the firefighting sector, gas detection has become common place as a foundation of safety! And with good reason, our team’s safety depends on a working environment gas monitoring is a priority and sensors that alert you to the presence of gas leaks are readily available.

Gas detection and monitoring devices can be found in industrial plants, refineries, manufacturing plants, fumigation facilities, paper pulp mills, aircraft and shipbuilding facilities, hazmat operations, waste-water treatment facilities, vehicles manufacturers, distilleries, indoor air testing and even in our homes. Applications are varied and wide.

PORTABLE GAS DETECTORS

Portable detectors are used to monitor the atmosphere around workers on the job and are either hand-held or worn on clothing or on a belt/harness for convenience sake. These gas detectors transmit warnings via audible and visible signals, such as alarms and flashing lights, when dangerous levels of gas vapours are detected and they may be monitored at another location especially in the case of remote gas monitoring.

FIXED GAS DETECTORS

Fixed type gas detectors may be used for detection of one or more gas types and are generally mounted near the process area of a plant or control room, or an area to be protected, such as a residential bedroom. Industrial sensors are usually installed on fixed type mild steel structure and a cable connects the detectors to a SCADA system for continuous monitoring.

HOW DO GAS DETECTORS WORK?

Gas detection equipment is used to detect a gas leak or other emissions and can interface with a control system so a process can be automatically shut down. A gas detector can sound an alarm to operators in the area where the leak is occurring, giving workers the opportunity to leave safely. There are many gases that can be harmful and it’s your job to understand those hazards and mitigate them if you play a role in your companies safety regime.

HOW DO GAS DETECTORS WORK?

Gas leak detection is the process of identifying potentially hazardous gas leaks by sensors and alarms that alert people when a dangerous gas has been detected. Exposure to toxic gases can also occur in operations such as painting, fumigation, fuel filling, construction, excavation of contaminated soils, landfill operations, entering confined spaces, so it is important to ensure the right type of gas detectors are used with the right application.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GAS DETECTORS?

Common sensors include combustible gas sensors, photoionization detectors, infrared point sensors, ultrasonic sensors, electrochemical gas sensors, and semiconductor sensors. More recently, infrared imaging sensors have come into use.

CEO, Lee Parmiter of EnviroMed Detection Services in St. John’s, Newfoundland says, “At the end of the day, we want to ensure people to come home safe to their families. Gas monitoring is essential, and gas leaks must be detected so that hazardous environments are eliminated. Gas detectors can be used to detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases, and oxygen depletion so they are essential in the infrastructure of most industrial companies and any business really that has processing facilities.”

WHAT IS GAS LEAK DETECTION ALL ABOUT?

Gas leak detection is the process of identifying potentially hazardous gas leaks by sensors. These sensors usually employ an audible alarm to alert people when a dangerous gas has been detected. Today technology is so advanced that systems not only alert to a gas leak but also alert incidences and failures in systems. We have vastly advanced the gas detection world with the advancement of new tracking and monitoring devices.

Gas leak detection is essential in your facility.

HOW TO SELECT YOUR GAS DETECTOR

How to select the gas detector primarily depends on your operation, and it’s functions. You will want to consider what systems will ensure the safety of workers and help your company save time and money.

Lee Parimeter says, “There are several models with constantly evolving technologies are available on the market. It is therefore essential to understand the available features and options to make an informed decision. Understanding the systems that are out there and ensuring your system is right for your facility is key.”

SELECTING THE RIGHT SYSTEM
5 KEY POINTS FOR GAS DETECTION & MONITORING THAT YOU MUST KNOW

According to Don Galman of Honeywell Analytics, selecting the right gas detection considers the following, “There are many gas detection products on the market that might appear to be the same, but a closer inspection of specification, functionality, and features reveals major differences in what products can do and the potential value they can offer. Similarly, individual applications are also unique in their respective designs, needs and processes undertaken.

1. DO A RISK ASSESSMENT

Before beginning to consider gas detection equipment, a risk assessment needs to be conducted. Any company employing staff should conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards, and these can include potential gas, vapour or Oxygen deficiency risks. If gas hazards are identified, gas detection is applicable as a risk reduction method.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIME OBJECTIVE

Depending on the processes being undertaken and the gases being detected, remote or off-site alarm notification plus event data logging/reporting may also be required for Health and Safety management records. Another factor impacting on the need for enhanced reporting functions might be regulatory compliance or a condition of insurance.

3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Having identified the primary objective, the suitable equipment is selected by asking a number of key questions. These fall into three broad categories:

• The gases to be detected and where they may come from

• The location and environmental conditions where detection is to take place

• The ease of use for operators and routine servicing personnel

Identify the gases to be detected and where they may come from

The risk assessment should identify the gases to be detected; however, experienced gas detection equipment manufacturers and their approved distributors are often able to help in this process, based on their experience of similar applications. However, it is important to remember that it is the end user’s responsibility to identify all potential hazards.

It is also essential to identify the potential source of a gas release as this helps determine the number and location of detectors required for a fixed gas detection system.

4. CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

The performance, accuracy, and reliability of any gas detection equipment will be affected by the environmental conditions it is subjected to. Temperature, humidity and pressure levels at the location all have a direct bearing on the type of equipment that should be selected. Additional factors such as potential variations resulting from a production process itself, diurnal/nocturnal fluctuations and seasonal changes may also affect the type of device which is suitable.

5. UNDERSTAND THE PRODUCT

The next area of consideration relates to additional product functionality. Aspects like wiring configuration are important, especially when retrofitting into an existing application. If the apparatus is being integrated into a separate safety system, certain communication protocols may also be required such as HART®, Lonworks or Modbus®.

Consideration will also need to be given regarding the requirement for local displays on transmitter units, and local configuration of the unit and gas displays may also be a useful addition.

MEASURE EASE OF USE AND MAINTAINABILITY

Routine maintenance is another important consideration. Some gases and vapours can be detected with a number of different sensing technologies, e.g., Hydrocarbon gases with catalytic beads or Non-dispersive Infrared NDIR. Catalytic beads do not provide fail-to-safety operation and therefore can require a high frequency of routine maintenance; however, NDIR based solutions tend to have a higher initial purchase price but may require less routine maintenance. In-house resource to undertake such routine maintenance needs to be identified, and in the absence of such a resource, budgeting for third-party maintenance is an important factor in selecting the right equipment.”

ENVIROMED DETECTION SYSTEMS

EnviroMed Detection Services, located in St. John’s Newfoundland has been serving the industrial based businesses in the region for 30 + years. EnivroMed is a safety/environmental instrumentation company specializing in the sale, installation, and servicing of life-saving detection instrumentation. As an ISO 9001:2008-certified, a full-service laboratory, EnviroMed offers repairs, N.I.S.T. traceable calibrations, maintenance, service and training on most of the equipment it provides today.

In addition to its specialization in gas detection equipment, EnviroMed also sells, rents and leases a wide variety of products in the areas of Gas Detectors, Water, Soil & Noise Monitors, Ambient Air, Indoor Air Quality, Meteorology, and other specialty areas related to safety/environmental instrumentation.

EnviroMed’s expertise and instrumentation inventory assist in providing an additional three-month labor warranty on most equipment purchased, refurbished, or calibrated at its facility. All installations, stationary or portable, must meet our quality assurance/quality control program, verified by a preventative maintenance schedule. Working closely with our clients, EnviroMed continues meeting today’s environmental challenges while understanding industry’s regional and economic requirements.

CEO, Lee Parmiter says, “The complexities of choosing, installing and maintaining gas detectors can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a full-service detection and monitoring company that ensures we support our customers in the best possible way. We work every day to ensure that people onsite, in confined spaces and requiring a high level of protection, get what they need.

The Blackline G7 Gas Detection Safety Monitor reports back to your head monitoring office. The Blackline G7 is state-of-the-art technology and is Ideal for remote location monitoring.

DON’T FEEL UP TO THE JOB OF SELECTING YOUR GAS DETECTOR?

For many people not directly involved in the gas detection and monitoring sector of their industry, the whole process can be overwhelming. Lee Parmiter says, “EnviroMed Detection Systems, with their gas detection consulting specialization, take the headache out of assessing and implementing your safety worksite systems. Are you bump testing? Did everything calibrate and is it up to date? Know who’s safe and not safe on site? Does your team know how your systems work and are they compliant right now, in the field today? Can I locate a person in the field in real time if something goes wrong? These are the safety questions that EnviroMed will take care of you.”

With the EnviroMed locally serviced and supported wireless real-time monitoring system, sensor deterioration and other unit shortfalls are relayed in real-time through the customer’s choice of media and with an established protocol to its operators and supervisors for appropriate recall and the avoidance of false alarms creating unnecessary downtime expense in operations. Lee says, Our products are new state-of-the-art systems that are fit for the times, for example, EnviroMed G7 Gas Detection Tracking and Monitoring System covers all the bases of your situation. In my 35+ years of using, servicing and promoting safety in gas detection applications, this system hits a ‘grand slam home run’!

For more information go to www.EnviroMed.ca

YES, I WOULD LIKE A FREE CONSULT WITH ENVIROMED ABOUT MY GAS DETECTION AND MONITORING SYSTEM

[contact-form-7]

Youth Address: World Green Economy Summit

Tina Olivero — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 09:14:48 +0000

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2018 is set to emphasize the role of young men and women in global efforts to build a green economy when it opens in Dubai in October. Organizers of WGES made the announcement as the UAE joins the worldwide celebration of the United Nations’ International Youth Day, marked on Sunday, 12 August 2018, in growing recognition of the need to engage the youth in decision-making processes and other activities that affect them.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and organized by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and World Green Economy Organisation, WGES will highlight this year the Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) initiative launched by the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE) to provide a platform for young international green entrepreneurs to pitch ideas to investors.

This specialized session at WGES will discuss how CLIX model has managed to attract hundreds of innovators and discuss the most appealing aspects of the winning ideas.

CLIX conducts a global search for breakthrough innovations, attracting hundreds of applications from all over the world ahead of the official launch of the forum. At last year’s CLIX, 27 finalists exhibited their inventions and met with investors, resulting in nearly half the finalists receiving funding pledges from investors, totalling more than USD 17.5 million.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGES.

“We relentlessly work to achieve the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai which prioritise the importance of empowering youth to ensure further progress to the society in the UAE. This stems from the fact that ‘The youth are present and the future hope. They are the UAE’s most valuable asset’. WGES and CLIX offer an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to support youth and underscore their role in achieving comprehensive sustainable development. WGES will also be an interactive platform to communicate with youth and know their opinions and views, build their capacities, unleash their creativity and engage them in building a better future for our country and the world ,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of WGES.

Fahed Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development & Climate Change Sector at MOCCAE, said: “The forum is an opportunity to interact with young entrepreneurs about clean tech opportunities and innovations in air pollution, clean mobility, and agriculture. It is for this reason that we invited shortlisted applicants to directly pitch their ideas to investors, successful entrepreneurs, and high-level government officials.”

“WGES through CLIX serves as an ideal venue to encourage brilliant minds to come forward with their innovations and accelerate the global movement to a green economy. Inspired by its success this year, CLIX has become an annual search. CLIX will accept ideas in three new fields for the 2019 edition, namely sustainability in space, the future of energy, and innovation in agriculture and water. We are confident that we will receive a bigger number of entries next year,” Al Hammadi added.

Set to take place from October 24 to 25 under the theme ‘Driving Innovation, Leading Change,’ WGES 2018 will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing focusing on new technologies that drive the growth for a green economy, including improvements in energy efficiency, energy conservation and waste reduction.

WGES 2018 will focus on three main pillars, green capital, digital transformation, and leadership and social engagement. It will gather financial executives, investment professionals, and thought leaders to discuss ways to increase green capital flows into regional and global environment-friendly projects and how to de-risk those investments.

Atlantic Petroleum Show – June 20, 2018

Tina Olivero — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 16:06:16 +0000

The Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show returns to Mile One Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador on June 20 – 21, 2018, with a refreshed focus on energy education.

“It is time to reimagine the traditional trade show and focus on education and training for the energy industry,” says Wes Scott, President and CEO of EventWorx Corporation, which purchased the Show from dmg events in 2017.

Scott says exhibitors want to see more of the right people attending, and the right attendees want access to more education, training, live demonstrations and networking options. “We have spent a lot of time talking to exhibitors and attendees, to help us shape a new focus to a more grass-roots approach,” says Scott.

“A lot of business still needs to be done face-face – large contracts in the energy sector are built on relationships and fostered by face-face interactions. We look forward to generating a refreshed platform for both companies and individuals to get together to find innovative supply chain solutions.”

Like the industry it supports, the upcoming Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show is evolving to include clean technologies, renewables and environmental technologies. For the first time in the Show’s history, for example, the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association will be hosting a new clean technology pavilion.

Kieran Hanley, Executive Director of the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association, (NEIA), says the association’s new clean technology pavilion will include members with environmental, clean and renewable technologies. NEIA is celebrating its 25th year in 2018.

“What we want to do through participation in the Show is to start telling the story about the connection between cleantech and oil and gas, and continue to build that story and encourage others to really get involved and explore opportunities in that space,” says Hanley.

The pavilion is important as it begins to shift the Show from primarily an offshore oil and gas event, towards becoming Canada’s east coast premier all-energy event.

“We’re a not-for-profit association of businesses that are involved in the development of cleantech and the growth of the green economy here in Newfoundland & Labrador,” says Hanley. “The Government of Canada is now aggressively supporting clean technology, environmental sustainability. Newer studies have shown that if Canada is to gain a competitive advantage in the clean technology business it’s likely going to be related to our natural resource sectors,” says Hanley. “NEIA sees a real opportunity for Atlantic Canada to leverage its expertise in ocean industries and ocean technology to really become competitive globally in the clean technology space. And of course, from a Newfoundland & Labrador perspective…we see a great opportunity to really become leaders on a global scale in terms of how clean technology can apply to oil and gas.”

Curtis Jerrom, President of DHVI (Downhole Video & Intervention), is a long-time supporter of Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show. DHVI, a Calgary-based company supplies the oil and gas sector in Canada with downhole video camera and calliper inspection services for leak detection, fishing assistance, fluid entry surveys and mechanical failures.

Jerrom has been exhibiting at the show for 12 years. “One of the things I like about Newfoundland it’s a different type of oilfield environment. They’re down-to-earth people. They’re easy to talk to. They still do business the old way. They like to do meetings face-to-face,” says Jerrom, adding the Show is a great place for him to get exposure for his company. “We’re bringing new technology. By the time we get to that Show, we’ll have our latest and greatest camera sitting in that Show for the first time.”

The Show is proudly held in conjunction with the Newfoundland & Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association’s (Noia) annual conference.

“People don’t want to just come and walk the aisles – they don’t have time for that,” says Scott. “They need solutions to their challenges and have questions answered. Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show will allow for that real connection and collaboration.”

Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show will attract 125 exhibiting companies and over 2,000 attendees. Fresh content on the Show floor includes the “Meet the Experts” Series – a parade of experts on a variety of different topics across the supply chain, which allows attendees to get questions answered during scheduled meet-ups. Live, interactive demonstrations and ample networking events will add more value to the Show experience. Networking experiences include the VIP Industry Reception with live entertainment, food and refreshing cocktails from the Martini Ice Bar; The Fish and Chips Day on the Show Floor on June 21, and Craft Beer Tasting to close out the last two hours of the Show on June 21.

Carbon Neutral: Environmentally Conscious Leaders

Tina Olivero — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 13:49:03 +0000

Today’s cities are responsible for almost 80% of the world’s energy consumption and 75% of its carbon emissions. In keeping with carbon reduction objectives the world over, creating sustainable cities makes good sense. The number of people living in urban areas is set to double to 6.5 billion by 2050. Rapid urbanization presents us with massive sustainability challenges that can be best met by adopting a radically new approach towards developing the cities of the future.

Carbon Neutral

What’s all the buzz about Carbon footprints and why are we in pursuit of a carbon neutral goal?

The answer is simple. We are no longer willing to sit around and watch the planet die of pollution. People are becoming conscious about the earth like never before. Climate Change is the catalyst but so is our own desire to do and be better. A fundamental commitment to create a sustainable future for our kids. We are moving into the era or environmental responsibility and ensuring a sustainable future. It’s simple – we give a damn!

Calculate your companies carbon footprint and offset what you emit! Turn emissions into trees!

The Post-Carbon Economy

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions the global consensus believes that we can do two things to make it happen. Reduce carbon emissions and if you can’ fully reduce them, purchase carbon credits to offset carbon emissions. The combination of both allows us to fulfil the goal of being a carbon neutral, company, organization, town or city.

Said in another way, Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount to offset it or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. Best practice for organizations and individuals seeking carbon neutral status entails reducing and/or avoiding carbon emissions first so that only unavoidable emissions are offset.

Carbon offsetting is the process of paying others to remove carbon dioxide emitted from the atmosphere by methods such as planting trees or funding ‘carbon projects’ that lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions, or by buying carbon credits to remove them through carbon trading. These practices are often used in parallel, together with energy conservation measures to minimize energy use overall.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

I lived in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East for three years. Abu Dhabi is progressively well known as one of the worlds great oil and gas developing nations. What’s not as commonly known is how progressive they are in renewable energy. My home was situated just outside Abu Dhabi in a place called Khalifa City. Out my front window, I overlooked what is touted as one of the most progressive Carbon reduction projects in the world – Masdar City.

Masdar is a testament to how fresh innovative ideas and collaboration can create eco-friendly outcomes. Masdar is home to some of the greatest minds on the planet when it comes to sustainable energy and it is now the Middle East’s largest exporter of renewable energy.

Masdar City was hooked into the public system and by 2016 it achieved incredibly advanced renewable energy solutions. The home of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) is housed in Masdar, along with a major graduate research university – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. A visit to Masdar City takes approximately 60-90 minutes, including the driverless vehicle experience in our personal rapid transit system and a comfortable walk through the city.

Today, Masdar is powered by 54 acres of solar panels with additional panels on the roofs. There are now light switches or water taps in the city; movement sensors control lighting and water to cut electricity consumption by over 50%. Approximately 80% of the water used will be recycled and wastewater will be reused as grey water for crop irrigation.

You get the picture. Not only companies, but entire cities are emerging with the goal of becoming net zero, and it’s happening fast.

Greener Buildings In Canada

Today, LEED v4 is the most rigorous green building rating system in the world. From improving energy performance to emphasizing human health and integrative building design, LEED is encouraging project teams to operate beyond the status quo and create new and innovative green building solutions.

Canadians are stepping up, with over 350 registered projects to date and the early adopters have proven their abilities and helped drive change in the industry including greater manufacturer transparency and disclosure.
From buildings to operational efficiencies, to our overall green footprint, the game of energy efficiency and carbon reduction is changing at exponential rates. It’s proving to be a place of job creation, economic savings and environmental sustainability. That’s the good news.

For more information on LEED:
LEED video

Eaight Avenue Place, Calgary, Alberta has earned LEED Platinum Status: Featuring a winter garden, green roof, thermal monitoring and control. Source: Flickr

A Greener Oil and Gas Industry: Sharp Management + Aker Solutions

Offshore Newfoundland, Aker Solutions is breaking ground by progressively committing to a carbon neutral goal. Aker Solutions is the first company operating in Newfoundland’s oil and gas sector to purchase carbon credits from Sharp Management, that are generated from wastewater treatment facilities in Appleton-Glenwood and Stephenville.

“We don’t have to wait for someone to tell us what to do. Carbon neutrality is the right thing to do”, said Dave Billard, Newfoundland’s Aker vice-president and general manager. Aker of St. John’s is currently assessing operations and predicts they will purchase between 100 and 200 equivalent offsets along with other green goals that will allow them to achieve a carbon neutral status.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s First Carbon Offset Project

Glenn Sharp, President of Sharp Management is planning information sessions for companies interested in environmentally conscious action. The goal of Sharp Management is to assess companies and allow them to purchase credits if need be. Working with the oil and gas industry, municipalities and construction, Sharp Management is poised to offer carbon reduction solutions before it is even mandated in the province.  Glenn Sharp says, “For the first three months, the carbon credits are selling for $25 per tonne and are offered exclusively to Newfoundland and Labradorian companies. After that three month period, we will be offering carbon credits internationally. I’m excited that Aker has taken the first step and has become a leader in environmental initiatives such as this carbon reduction program. We’re looking to work with other companies like Aker Solutions that wish to follow suit and make a difference in the environment. We predict many companies will be interested in doing the right thing before it is legislated.”

Glenn Sharp (left) presents an official Newfoundland Climate and Ecosystems Conservancy Project carbon credit to Aker Solutions Canada HSE manager Melissa English-Barbour and vice-president and general manager Dave Billard. Credit: The Telegram/SaltWire Network

The Newfoundland Climate and Ecosystems Conservancy Project (NCECP) is publicly listed on the CSA Clean Projects Registry and has been 3rd party verified under the ISO-14064-2 by Fournier Toupin CPA Inc. The project mitigates greenhouse gas by engineering wetland systems for wastewater treatment, thereby offsetting carbon. Treating wastewater and sludge from municipalities eliminates environmental impacts of discharging raw wastewater and produces fewer greenhouse gases (GHG). A first for the province.
You can calculate your carbon footprint at www.carbonzero.ca/projects/ncecp and you can also contact Sharp Management for an assessment.

It takes a provincial commitment to ensure a sustainable energy future and working together in our own unique ways will achieve that goal. An expression of unity and collaboration, the goal of carbon zero is an objective that we can all get behind and be proud of. It is our future after all.

EnviroMed G7 Changes The Game of Safety

Tina Olivero — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:03:25 +0000

Technology is expanding at exponential rates and has the capacity to make things happen faster and easier. In the world of safety that could never be more true, as new state-of-the-art solutions are emerging for industries around the globe.

Tracking and Responding

Technology has allowed our workplaces, remote locations and hazardous environments to be much safer. New detection, tracking and responding devices are taking over the scene and allowing us to feel much better about our workspaces and goals of zero incidences on the job. Technology is now working where it matters most – safety. With safety alerts, monitoring, tracking and full transparent communication, workplaces are now connected and much safer. Knowing who’s on your site, where people are, how they are, where evacuation needs to take place, real-time response, remote area access, real-time incidence response, and following leading indicators of “near misses”, are all possible with the new state-of-the-art G7 Blackline system.

Lee Parmiter, CEO of EnviroMed Detection Services says, “Technology mitigates risk. It’s that simple. New advances in detection and response are so effective these days that we reduce human error dramatically. For example, the Blackline G7, which is a real-time, state-of-the-art, electronic gas detection unit is far outperforming what humans can do in much less time. Detection and reporting are replacing human reporting. Extensive gas detection training is no longer necessary. These day’s people have full access and communication in difficult places, remote locations and hazardous regions. This is the future of safety”

The G7 tracks workers and their performance and positioning. For example, if a worker trips, falls and goes down a G7 alert is triggered, transmitted and help is on the way within seconds. It’s all automated and immediate.

The G7 is breaking new ground through no motion detection, fall detection, missed check in’s, gas detection and just about anything you can think of on the job. It provides operator tracking, real-time tracking and communication, remote communication, third-party communication, in-house monitoring with two-way voice communications and on-the-spot Reporting. The system itself takes care of data logging so that follow-up and paperwork becomes a thing of the past.

Think Ahead

The G7 excels in proactive safety protocols. It provides an SOS Pull-Station Emergency feature for on the job emergency situations. It also allows for gas detection monitoring and “PREDETERMINED” maintenance execution which mitigates the possibility of accidents in the future.

Lee says, “offshore or on land this G7 devise works via satellite or cellular, allowing a full scope and range of communication, tracking and detection. We are extremely proud to be supplying such an advanced system to the industry because at the end of the day, our goal is the same goal as our clients – zero incidence. We sleep at night knowing that the technology we provide keeps people safe.”

Would you like to know about the upcoming Blackline G7 device for your company?

Let us know how to reach you and we will have an ENVIROMED representative contact you.

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Publisher & Content Strategist

Tina Olivero is the Publisher and Content Strategist for clients around the globe through TheOGM.com and The OGM magazine.

With a passion for progress and a sustainable high tech future, tina combines digital strategies into a conversation that builds your business.

SPEAK TO TINA:
To gain more insight into how content can support your business goals please contact:
tinaolivero@theogm.com

FUNDING AVAILABLE: Renewable energy on the rise!

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 10:53:25 +0000

ADFD, IRENA Open New Round of Funding for Renewable Energy Projects in Developing Countries, Invite Applications

ADFD concessional loans will fund transformative renewable energy projects in developing countries

November 2017

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is inviting applications for renewable energy projects in developing countries.

Within the framework of the ADFD-funded US$350 million (AED1.285 billion) IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, the current funding round of US$50 million in concessional loans marks the sixth of seven annual cycles.

“In just the last few years, renewable energy has emerged as one of the most economical choices for new power generation in countries around the globe. Accelerated renewable energy deployment in developing countries expands access to energy, improves health and welfare, creates jobs and drives economic growth,” said IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. “This new funding cycle provides greater opportunity for developing countries to access low-cost capital for renewable energy projects to drive the energy transformation and achieve sustainable development. The continued partnership between ADFD and IRENA connects a stable and reputable source of funding to places where it can have the most impact and where financing is one of the greatest challenges.”

For his part, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said: “Since the announcement of the first funding cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility back in 2014, this unique partnership has continued to support replicable, scalable and economically feasible renewable energy projects in developing countries.”

He added: “The five previous cycles have attracted a host of impressive, innovative and sustainable projects that go a long way in enhancing energy security worldwide. Following their contribution to advancing the global sustainability mandate, we are delighted to open funding for the sixth cycle and continue our journey of socio-economic growth.”

Funding from ADFD, provided through the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, offers sustainable and affordable energy to millions of people with limited or no access to electricity. In the first four cycles, the Facility allocated US$189 million to 19 renewable energy ventures across the globe, covering up to 50 percent of the project costs. The loan approval process saw ADFD and IRENA conduct a thorough assessment of entries in close collaboration to select projects that best fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

The ventures funded in the first four cycles will bring online more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy capacity and improve the livelihoods of over a million people through providing better access to energy. Spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America and Small Island Developing States, the projects span the complete spectrum of alternative energy sources – wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass – and utilize a wide range of systems, such as hybrid, off-grid, mini-grid and on-grid including backup storage.

The projects selected for the fifth funding cycle will be announced in January 2018.

Applications for the sixth cycle will be accepted until 17:00 GST on February 15, 2018.

For more information, please visit www.irena.org/adfd

About the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

IRENA is mandated to be the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 153 Members (152 States and the European Union). 27 additional countries are in the accession process and actively engaged. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org

About Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is a national organisation owned by the Abu Dhabi government. Established in 1971, its purpose is to help emerging countries by providing concessionary loans to finance sustainable development projects alongside other long-term investments and direct contributions. In addition, the Fund manages government grants offered by the Abu Dhabi government and monitors the course of the relevant projects. To date, it has invested around AED80 billion in development projects across 84 countries.

www.Irena.org
www.twitter.com/irena
www.facebook.com/irena.org

ITER Fusion Project: World Leader in Renewable Energy

Tina Olivero — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 01:06:54 +0000

Today 80% of the developed world’s energy comes from fossil which meets energy demand, but these fuels present environmental issues and climate change challenges.

By 2050, it is predicted that the population will be 9 billion and there will be a dramatic increase in energy consumption for which no one solution will be able to fill its demand. A new energy mix will prevail offering new and sustainable solutions for energy security, sustainable development and environmental protection. Future energy supply options may comprise of a new energy mix including fossil fuels, nuclear fission, fusion, and other renewable energy sources.

According to CCFE, the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, “Fusion could have a key role to play in the energy market of the future, with the potential to produce at least 20% of the world’s electricity by 2100.”

The Answers Are Found In Nature

Believing that the answers are found in nature, fusion may prove that theory correct once again. Fusion is the dominant source of energy for stars in the universe as well as on Earth. It’s speculated that fusion energy could be the basis of energy which may some day take us to the stars in space travel.
Nuclear – means the process which involves the nucleus.
Fusion – means two or more entities merging together to form one single entity.

The sun is a powerful force. It produces energy through a process called fusion. The sun is made of atoms and its incredible gravity force pulls atoms together. These suns atoms or “light atoms” come together they “fuse” to make an entirely new heavier atom. That’s fusion.

Fusion occurs when two light atoms bond together and make a heavier one. The total mass of the new atom is less than that of the two that formed it. This gives way to a “missing” mass which creates energy. This fusion phenomenon was described by Albert Einstein as the “E=mc2” equation.

High temperatures and pressures are required to force a fusion reaction to take place. Temperatures must reach approximately six times that found in the core of the sun. At this extreme heat, the hydrogen atom is no longer a gas but a plasma. It is a high-energy state of matter where electrons are stripped from their atoms.

Fusion differs from fission, which splits atoms and results in substantial radioactive waste, which is hazardous.

Fusion The Renewable Energy Source

At the International Atomic Energy Agency, Scientists have been studying the sun’s energy in the hopes of replicating its fusion capacity. Through technological innovation the goal has been to build reactors which could emulate the sun’s energy source, thereby creating a renewable clean energy solution for world energy demand. The agency believes in a global united approach where the world’s leading scientists collaborate to find the answers to fusion.

The ITER Fusion Project

ITER means “the way” in Latin. The construction of the ITER test fusion reactor at Cadarache in the South of France is the first significant step towards nuclear fusion the world has seen. The ITER Project is ranked among the most ambitious science endeavors of our time. The building is underway now on the ITER scientific installation in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.

35 nations are collaborating to build the world’s largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion on a large-scale, replicating the nuclear fusion process that happens on the Sun.

According to ITER.org, “ITER will be the first fusion device to produce net energy. ITER will be the first fusion device to maintain fusion for long periods of time. And ITER will be the first fusion device to test the integrated technologies, materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based electricity. Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea for an international joint experiment with fusion was first launched in 1985. The ITER Members—China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States—are now engaged in a 35-year collaboration to build and operate the ITER experimental device, and together bring fusion to the point where a demonstration fusion reactor can be designed.”

The ITER construction site at night

100,000 KILOMETRES

100,000 kilometres of niobium-tin (Nb3Sn) superconducting strands are necessary for ITER’s toroidal field magnets. Fabricated by suppliers in six ITER Domestic Agencies—China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia and the USA—production began in 2009 and is currently drawing to a close. Over 400 tonnes of this multifilament wire has been produced for ITER at a rate of about 150 tonnes/year, a spectacular increase in worldwide production capacity (estimated, before the scale-up for ITER, at a maximum of 15 tonnes/year). Stretched end to end, the Nb3Sn strand produced for ITER would wrap around the Earth at the equator twice.

104 KILOMETRES

The heaviest components of the ITER machine will be shipped to the nearest Mediterranean port and then transported along 104 kilometres of specially modified road known as the ITER Itinerary. The dimensions of these components are impressive: the heaviest will weigh nearly 900 tons including the transport vehicle; the largest will be approximately four storeys—or 10.6 metres—high. Some will measure 9 metres across; others 33 metres long.

150 MILLION °C

The temperature at our Sun’s surface is 6,000°C, and at its core—15 million°C. Temperature combines with density in our Sun’s core to create the conditions necessary for the fusion reaction to occur. The gravitational forces of our stars can not be recreated here on Earth, and much higher temperatures are necessary for the laboratory to compensate. In the ITER Tokamak, temperatures will reach 150 million°C—or ten times the temperature at the core of our Sun.

Toroidal Field Coils will surround the torus-shaped vacuum vessel to confine the plasma particles.

23,000 TONS

The ITER machine will weigh 23,000 tons. The metal contained in the Eiffel Tower (7,300 tons) can’t compare … the ITER Tokamak will be as heavy as three Eiffel Towers. The vacuum vessel, with its ports, blanket and divertor, weighs 8,000 tons. Approximately one million components will be integrated into this complex machine.

2X THE THRUST OF A SPACE SHUTTLE LIFT-OFF

The structure of the ITER central solenoid—the large, 1,000-tonne electromagnet in the centre of the machine—must be strong enough to contain a force equivalent to twice the thrust of the Space Shuttle at take-off. That’s 60 meganewtons or over 6,000 tonnes of force.

360 TONNES

Every one of the ITER Tokamak’s 18 D-shaped toroidal field coils will weigh 360 tonnes. The coils will be unloaded from ocean-going vessels before being transported along the ITER Itinerary on radio-controlled transporters. 360 tonnes is the approximate weight of a fully loaded Boeing 747-300 airplane. Each toroidal field coil is 14 metres high and 9 metres wide.

400,000 TONNES

The Tokamak Seismic Isolation Pit (pictured) houses the anti-seismic foundations of the future Tokamak Complex. Some 400,000 metric tons will rest on the lower basemat, including the Complex foundations and walls and the ITER Tokamak. 400,000 metric tons is more than the weight of New York’s Empire State Building.

42 HECTARES

The main feature of the 180-hectare ITER site in Saint Paul-lez-Durance, southern France, is a man-made level platform that was completed in 2009. This 42-hectare platform measures 1 kilometre long by 400 metres wide and compares in size to 60 soccer fields. Building began in August 2010.

5,000 PEOPLE

At the peak of ITER construction in 2018-2019, 5,000 people are expected at ITER (on the worksite and in the offices), up from 1,400 in 2014. The projected rise is due to a sharp increase in the number of construction workers on the platform.

500 MW

The goal of the ITER fusion program is to produce a net gain of energy and set the stage for the demonstration fusion power plant to come. ITER has been designed to produce 500 MW of output power for 50 MW of input power—or ten times the amount of energy put in. The current record for released fusion power is 16 MW (held by the European JET facility located in Culham, UK).

60 METRES

The Tokamak Building will be slightly taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Measuring 73 metres (60 metres above ground and 13 metres below), it will be the tallest structure on the ITER site.

84,000 VISITORS

The latest figures are in: 83,999 people have visited the ITER site since work began in 2007. In 2014, nearly 17,000 people passed through the ITER Visitors Centre, including some 7,000 schoolchildren.

Visits are open to all (contact the ITER Joint Visit Team at visit@iter.org).

840 CUBIC METRES

The ITER Tokamak will be the largest ever built, with a plasma volume of 840 cubic metres. In currently operating tokamaks, the maximum plasma volume is 100 cubic metres—achieved by both Europe’s JET and Japan’s JT-60.

ITER will be the last stage of the construction of the DEMO industrial demonstration model, planned for 2040.

Can Oil and Gas Infrastructure Support Fusion?

Scientists and policymakers around the world are convinced that we are on the edge of an ‘Age of Fusion’. Constructing thirty-nine buildings and technical areas to house the ITER Tokamak and its plant systems is a monumental undertaking. The integration and assembly of over one million components (ten million parts), built in the ITER Members’ factories around the world and delivered to the ITER site constitutes a tremendous logistics and engineering challenge. An assembly workforce of approximately 2,000 people will be needed at the height of assembly activities.

The ITER project is not unlike the mega projects we’ve seen in developing the Hibernia project offshore Newfoundland as well as other mega oil and gas projects in the North Sea. As oil and gas give way to renewable energy infrastructure, it is wise to assume that developed infrastructures could parallel and support each other in the development of a new energy mix.

Governments Worldwide Are Staking Out Fusion

Perry Kinkaide — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:52:36 +0000

Asia’s now in the game with both China and Korea vying for a stake in the emergence of the fusion energy industry. They join Japan in perhaps the biggest energy play in history estimated by some at $300T. And while they started late, they are well-heeled and aggressive. Elsewhere an international consortium is betting billions on magnetic fusion in the ITER project located in Europe. The USA is advancing in laser fusion R&D at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and other countries have advanced plans for fusion energy using lasers.

Why the abrupt increase in interest? We asked Allan Offenberger and Perry Kinkaide, co-chairs of the Alberta/Canada Fusion Energy Program, “What’s new? The promise of fusion has been around before? Why the elevated interest and investment?” Here’s what they’ve told us.

Last year the Alberta Council of Technologies (ABCtech), with support from Alberta Energy, the University of Alberta, and Stantec sent a team led by Allan Offenberger – Professor Emeritus, along with Robert Fedosejevs – University of Alberta professor, and Klaas Rodenburg – Stantec business developer, to visit the major fusion research programs in Asia, Europe, and the USA. The visits were followed by meetings arranged by ABCtech with Alberta industry in Calgary and Edmonton and an international forum held at Alberta Innovates Technology Futures.

The programs visited are national responses to several converging challenges, challenges that are forcing governments to look for energy alternatives. Some of the problems are external, like the universal appreciation of climate change and the need to replace coal-fired power plants. And there are the seemingly never-ending geopolitical uncertainties with supply, the distribution issues with oil and gas and the issues of security with fission. The issues are universal, growing in significance, and well-publicized.

At the same time there is a growing realization that the demand for energy is continuing to rise, with no end in sight. As an option, we see increased interest in clean tech alternatives like wind, solar, and geothermal, but while desirable, they do not offer a universal solution to meet overall demand. Fission can meet base load electricity demand but current technology relies on a diminishing resource of U235 fuel. Fuel breeding will be required for long term nuclear fission. In an era of impact due to climate-change, many no longer speak of “peak-oil”, but rather of a post-carbon economy.

What’s left? That leaves fusion – creating a sun on Earth. But the engineering is elusive, or at least has been. And there is no shortage of skeptics – not so much with the science, but with the engineering.

The funding required to understand and achieve fusion ignition is significant and continues to be largely public. In fact, major progress has been achieved in fusion science, computer modelling and enabling technologies. And as noted above, virtually every industrialized country has or is developing a national program – with the exception of Canada. Recent advances at LLNL are promising as they get closer to achieving ignition and a sustainable burn using lasers.

Why Alberta? Why Canada? As demonstrated in ABCtech’s recent study – accessible at www.ABCtech.ca/Energy-distribution – those nations with a fusion energy research program are wanting Canada involved. Canada has a regulatory framework that anticipates fusion enabling Canada to be an early adopter. A/CFEP has the nucleus of a fusion energy leadership team. And, Alberta has a problem that fusion could solve. Oil sands production requires enormous quantities of natural gas to generate the heat necessary for steam extraction through SAGD and as a source of hydrogen for upgrading bitumen to a usable form. Fusion as a source of heat, would reduce the carbon footprint of the oil sands to everyone’s delight and when converted to steam, fusion also serves as a source of electric power. All this is good news for Alberta in the intermediate term, and with adequate planning would enable Alberta and Canada to sustain a leadership position in energy through the transition to a post-carbon economy. Also, by anticipating fusion, we are able to capitalize spin-off industries contributing to diversification – a win-win all around.

What’s Next? The Alberta Council of Technologies with the support of the A/CFEP has proposed the Alberta Government establish a Fusion Energy Directorate to prepare for a fusion energy future. The Directorate would serve to build the team, secure the relationships and demonstration facilities and set in motion the various initiatives for Alberta and Canada to lead the world in fusion energy.

The race is on. Does Alberta, Canada want in?

New Truth – About Nuclear Technology

Liane Angerman, Associate Editor — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:10:48 +0000

As each of us strolls our own life path, we are forced to make choices, limited only by our mindsets and the barriers around us. However, in a society where “what’s oil doing today?” typically translates into “can I afford to keep my SUV?” or “how much more can the ozone withstand?” we often feel helplessly driven by our seemingly lack of choices and control. Not so, say the up-and-coming spearheads of nuclear science! With a few tweaks in our perceptions, fueled by some simple education, the power is all ours—hundreds of years of it!

Emerging from all corners of the globe, young grinning nuclear physicists, scientists, and engineers are popping up waving their dissertations to everyone who will listen. Their clarion call is rather unsophisticated: The world’s most viable energy solution is hinging on the way we view nuclear energy. These young’uns are rapidly altering our views on nuclear energy, and they are fueled by passion and old-fashioned science.

According to Lisa Dewar, an MIT nuclear science grad student, entrepreneur, and recent winner of Forbes’s 30 under 30 award in the category of energy and innovation, the plan is very simple: to produce nuclear power plants that emit significantly less waste, minimal emissions while utilizing existing above-ground nuclear waste to fuel these very reactors.

She, along with her colleague Mark Massie, has created the WAMSR (Waste Annihilated Molten Salt Reactor). In a recent symposium in New England, Dewar and Massie explained how they can easily take the existing 270,000 metric tons of (above-ground) global nuclear waste, reduce it by 93 percent and use this three-kilogram leftover waste ball to generate enough electricity to fuel the needs of a growing demand for 72 years.

Global Facts

According to their MIT mentor, Dr. Richard Lester, over the next 20 years, we can expect a 50 percent increase in energy usage, a deeper need for reduction in carbon emissions in order to avoid the advancing climate changes, such as those that cause natural disasters.

“In the United States alone, there are 103 nuclear power reactors, which provide about 19 percent of the nation’s electricity. Each nuclear power plant produces 20 metric tons of nuclear waste each year that equates to 9,000 metric tons globally of high-level nuclear waste annually” (Dewar).

The largest barrier to embracing nuclear energy has much to do with the age distribution in the industry. The term “nuclear” spoken in the presence of 50- to 80-year olds, froths with notions of Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986, and the 1957 incident in the Russian Ural Mountains where careless protocols and inferior construction killed dozens. The stats of these catastrophes, including Fukushima, have soured the incentives of this segment of the population, as well as existing nuclear generator sites.

In light of this relevant fear of nuclear, a former senior executive of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) asserts a crucial point to endorsing nuclear advancement: “It’s crucial for society to realize how nuclear medicine plays a critical role in saving lives. It’s puzzling that most refuse all notions of endorsing its source, not realizing how vital and indispensable it is to health.”

According to the new minds of global energy, oil could easily take a back burner to nuclear energy if research and development continue to advance their visionary paths as the brighter, cleaner, reliable energy alternative. At the rate the world consumes oil with its burgeoning demand, (driven by our consumerist lust for all that is more), the world is clamoring to suck, pull, pump, and pimp petroleum from all and every available source.

Globally there are 104 commercial nuclear reactors. They operate using light water reactor technology, now known to be inferior and unreliable technology. The challenge for the incoming scientists is convincing all these existing companies to alter their designs and “take a chance on something new” (Dewar).

There is a global fear of nuclear energy, yet these new minds are looking beyond the United States with a focus on Europe and particularly China, where nuclear energy is making all the right sense.

China’s Snapshot:

14 operating commercial power plants
27 under construction
51 planned
20 proposed
112 total

The call of these visionaries, who are mostly in their 20s and 30s, is simple: With “new designs and new people in the industry … to solve the world’s energy needs … [we will] solve nuclear safety and waste issues … and power the world for hundreds of years.”

Understanding Nuclear Energy

Unlike the stars, the nuclear reactors that we have today work on the principles of nuclear fission. Scientists are working like madmen to make fusion reactors, which have the potential of providing more energy with fewer disadvantages than fission reactors.

There are two types of nuclear energy: (1) Natural (such as that generated by the sun and stars), and (2) Man-made (that derived from nuclear reactors and power plants).

Nuclear energy is produced in two different ways: fission where the large nuclei are split to release energy, and fusion where the small nuclei are combined to release energy.

Nuclear Fission:

The nuclei of atoms are split (a process called fission), causing energy to be released in the form of heat. Because uranium fissions easily, it is commonly used to boil the water in the reactor to create the subsequent heat.

Many critics view this process analogous with “using a cannon to kill a fly.”

Once a uranium nucleus is split, multiple neutrons are released which are used to split other uranium nuclei, known as a chain reaction. These nuclear reactions create what is called nuclear (or atomic) energy.

Fission of uranium 235 nucleus. Adapted from Nuclear Energy. Nuclear Waste.

Nuclear Fusion:

In nuclear fusion, the nuclei of atoms are joined together or fused. This happens only under very hot conditions and operates in the method similar to that of the Sun: Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium and in the process release huge amounts of energy, thus producing a huge explosion. Einstein’s famous equation teaches us the theory of relativity with E=MC2 where E is the energy equivalent of mass M, and C is the speed of light.

Recent advancements in energy technology gathering all this great science (and in effort to avoid confusion), let us extricate the essence of nuclear science’s potential impact on the world’s growing concerns and need for an endless supply of clean energy.

According to best-selling author, Jeff Rubin, in his book Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller, “[China] relies on coal for almost two-thirds of its total energy needs and approximate 80 percent of its electrical power … and 50 percent of the electricity in the U.S. … 12 percent in Canada, and the U.K., 25 percent.”

Enter General Fusion, a venture capitalist company from Burnaby, BC, which is impacting on the commercialization of thermal power plants advancing to gain footholds in the market to generate electricity for large consumption.

General Fusion’s founding technology reverts back 30 years to the U.S. Naval Labs, to the very same era from which the MIT students’ molten salt reactor technology was derived. Their subsequent advances have embraced the stale technology and addressed the major concerns, whereby sometimes these reactors were fueled by gas and even mercury.

According to their website, www.generalfusion.com, their patented science is a hybrid between magnetic fusion and inertial confinement fusion known as “magnetized target fusion”:

“Magnetic fusion involves using magnetic fields to hold relatively low-density plasma of deuterium and tritium for sufficient time such that a lot of nuclei collide and fuse.”

“Inertial confinement fusion involves imploding a small sphere of deuterium and tritium with such energy that the nuclei momentarily reach very high-density fusion conditions.”

The Pebble Bed Reactor, a form of nuclear technology that began in the 1960s in Germany, took a fairly recent advancement by a South African firm. This helium and graphite approach to burning at much higher temperatures than the light water reactor developed issues such as contaminated graphite dust and excess radioactive waste, making this project unlikely to succeed. China, however, is the only country that continues to work on Pebble Bed technology .

Dr. Richard Lester from MIT asserts: “the needs of today’s nuclear science must address the failures of the past if they are going to move pass the scrutiny of all those affected by these historical disasters.” He continues that what is needed most is (1) greater nuclear governance, which is in reference to “soft matters,” such as policies, people, regulations. The other need is for (2) technological innovation—with cost-efficient safeguards against terrorism and compatibility with the existing organization/plant and its limitations.

The 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, hosted by President Obama in Washington, D.C., brought together the leaders of 47 nations to discuss ways to prevent nuclear terrorism and secure loose nuclear material (www.nuclearfiles.org).

Dr. Lester affirms that these innovative, eager entrepreneurs are a “serious, idealistic, and practical group of people.”

Author Jeff Rubin shares on his blog how the Uranium Energy Corp. is using fraccing technology to pull uranium slurry out of shale plays in south Texas and selling the “yellowcake” as food for nuclear power plants.

Proliferated Risks vs. Sustainable Solutions

Despite the fact that “nations of the world now have more than enough nuclear bombs to kill every person on Earth; the two most powerful nations—Russia and the United States—have about 50,000 nuclear weapons between them.”

Despite these mind-blowing notions of destruction, society must not ignore our living reality—a reality that the sustainability of our natural resources is very much reliant on upon our capacity to embrace technology and all alternative solutions.

Planet Earth’s Reserves

Tina Olivero — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:18:21 +0000

Fossil fuels are currently the most consumed fuels on our planet and are the backbone of society as we now know it today. The use of coal as a fuel predates recorded history however, It was the commercial use of petroleum in the 19th Century which led to great advancements in our social infrastructure. Our planet is a huge ball of energy. It has limitless untapped potential. It is an intricate system of energy resources offering sustainable energy solutions and it’s up to instate those solutions in a way that serves us today, delivers on energy demand, and is sustainable for future demand.

Energy Everywhere

Energy is in everything! Einstein concluded that, “energy can never be lost or created, matter is energy and energy is matter.” This statement is of profound insight and yet, Einstein hasn’t been the only one to recognize this universal truth. Those who create sustainable energy efforts, see it this way and understand the continuous never ending flow of energy.
We foresee that our fuel sources will change and advance as we embrace new energy solutions. The situation we face in modern society is not a question of our fuel resources but rather our exploitation of them. What we are witnessing is pollution of the planet and how it effects our intentions, which in-turn effects our economy.

Life of Energy

In the upstream energy sector field data is being frantically collected to estimate the life of our gas and oil fields across the globe. With tomorrow’s world in mind we recognize the need to conserve energy resources for future generations. But, here at the Oil and Gas Magazine we believe that world energy is limitless with the use of strategic sustainable methods infinite. Cleaner, easily available and highly productive sources of fuel are right at our fingertips. New business ventures are happening now. Many projects developing across the globe are in-tune with new paradigms and higher ideals.

World Oil Reserves by Region

Here in the Middle East we are happy to be home to the first ever non-carbon city: Masdar (www.masdarcity. ae). Masdar is truly an energy advancement of the highest magnitude, not in theory but in reality.

According to Global Energy Consumption tally’s, the total crude oil production given on January 1, 2009, was 1,342.207 bn bbl. Petroleum totalled close to 40% of global primary energy consumption, and natural gas 22%. Natural gas advocates say that increased use of gas would mean a cleaner environment and less dependence on oil. According to ‘The Renewables 2010 Global Status Report,’ global renewable energy grew at rates of 10-60% annually for many technologies during the five-year period from the end of 2004 through 2009. In 2008 renewable energy sources used was 19% of total global energy consumption.

Most nations around the globe are now recognizing the importance of new-age fuel. Britain’s Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, whilst delivering the annual energy statement, laid out 32 actions being taken by the British Government to accelerate the transformation of the commercial fuel system, in support of the 2050 target to reduce carbon emissions by 80%. President Obama’s final stimulus package of 2009, gave a provision of $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects. In a recent speech on energy and the environment, the president stated, “Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of jobs -– but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation –- workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors.

”Fuel For The Future”

The problem we are facing today as planetary pollution, lack of fuel reserves and natural resources, has brought our corporate consciousness into the limelight. It is now becoming a test of our entrepreneurship, and creative mindset, as to how we will build a sustainable economy. Many steps are being taken to overcome the energy challenges of our time. At the World Future Energy Summit, in Abu Dhabi, Jan, 2010, the greatest minds on earth gather to share, create and revolutionize the way we develop energy. As we revolutionize our ideals, so will our markets, industry and companies, become a great asset to us, our loved ones, and the world. The fuel of the future is positive and creative thinking, corporate consciousness, and leadership at the level of every individual in creating a new energy world.

Fusion Technology – OUR GREAT MINDS

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Pioneering Decarbonization: Strategies for Oil & Gas Companies, Major Contractors, & Suppliers

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Major Contractors:

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ECO Canada Wage Funding: The Catalyst for Environmental Industry Success

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Environmental Jobs Growth Program:

Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program:

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REAL-TIME GAS READINGS: Wearables, Connectivity, People Protection

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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GAS DETECTORS?

WHAT IS GAS LEAK DETECTION ALL ABOUT?

HOW TO SELECT YOUR GAS DETECTOR

SELECTING THE RIGHT SYSTEM 5 KEY POINTS FOR GAS DETECTION & MONITORING THAT YOU MUST KNOW

1. DO A RISK ASSESSMENT

2. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIME OBJECTIVE

3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

4. CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

5. UNDERSTAND THE PRODUCT

MEASURE EASE OF USE AND MAINTAINABILITY

ENVIROMED DETECTION SYSTEMS

DON’T FEEL UP TO THE JOB OF SELECTING YOUR GAS DETECTOR?

YES, I WOULD LIKE A FREE CONSULT WITH ENVIROMED ABOUT MY GAS DETECTION AND MONITORING SYSTEM

Youth Address: World Green Economy Summit

Atlantic Petroleum Show – June 20, 2018

Carbon Neutral: Environmentally Conscious Leaders

Carbon Neutral

The Post-Carbon Economy

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

Greener Buildings In Canada

A Greener Oil and Gas Industry: Sharp Management + Aker Solutions

Newfoundland and Labrador’s First Carbon Offset Project

EnviroMed G7 Changes The Game of Safety

Tracking and Responding

Think Ahead

Would you like to know about the upcoming Blackline G7 device for your company?

FUNDING AVAILABLE: Renewable energy on the rise!

ITER Fusion Project: World Leader in Renewable Energy

The Answers Are Found In Nature

Fusion The Renewable Energy Source

The ITER Fusion Project

Can Oil and Gas Infrastructure Support Fusion?

Governments Worldwide Are Staking Out Fusion

New Truth – About Nuclear Technology

Global Facts

China’s Snapshot:

Nuclear Fission:

Nuclear Fusion:

Proliferated Risks vs. Sustainable Solutions

Planet Earth’s Reserves

Energy Everywhere

Life of Energy

World Oil Reserves by Region

”Fuel For The Future”

International Community Gathers in Ottawa
for Small Reactor Conference

SELECTING THE RIGHT SYSTEM
5 KEY POINTS FOR GAS DETECTION & MONITORING THAT YOU MUST KNOW