Fuel cell research in Canada received a boost in funding, with the government announcing a $13.6 million investment in the National Research Council's Vancouver-based fuel cell and hydrogen research center.

The NRC said its Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation operates a Hydrogen Environmental Chamber that can simulate the climatic extremes from polar to tropical environments, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to test fuel cell ideas, complementing private sector investments in research and development.

"Our Government supports private-public research collaborations that accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen-based energy and alternatives that will lead to cleaner, renewable fuels," said Gary Lunn, minister of natural resources.

"The time is right to develop solutions that respond to our environmental and energy-related challenges and create a competitive advantage for our country."

In addition to announcing the investment, the NRC said it officially opened the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway, a technology demonstration and exhibit center showcasing the country's fuel cell and hydrogen industry.

"This technology cluster initiative highlights how NRC is focused on collaborative research with public and private sector partners that is inching Canada ever closer to making the commercialization of environmentally friendly fuel cell and hydrogen technologies a real possibility," said Pierre Coulombe, president of NRC.

"The impacts this technology will have on our environment and economy are limitless."

The $13.6 million in funding is part of a larger $118 million investment from the government of Canada, including five previously announced initiatives in nanotechnology, plants for health and wellness, biomedical technologies,photonics, and aluminium transformation.