Ontario putting cash into cleantech

The Ontario government announced yesterday that it would give $2.8 million to six cleantech projects in the Canadian province.

The Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program will provide $1.5 million to four fuel cell projects, while the Innovation Demonstration Fund will invest $1.3 million to two projects focused on commercializing biomaterials for car manufacturing.

"These projects will help key industries in Ontario, the auto, energy and telecom sectors, reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and petrochemicals," said Harinder Takhar, Ontario Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Missassauga-based Hydrogenics leads three of the newly announced projects.

The company will work with fork lift maker NACCO Materials Handling Group to develop fuel cell power packs that are compatible with class 2 fork lifts, commonly used in warehouses.

Hydrogenics will also design and build four 8 kilowatt fuel cell backup power solutions for four telecommunications companies, and will work with a third party on international codes and standards in the field of hydrogen refuellers.

The fourth fuel cell project will be run by Enbridge Gas Distribution, which plans to use fuel cell technology to generate 1.2 MW, and use by-product heat to reduce natural gas consumption at its plant.

Woodbridge Group and GreenCore Composites will be working on the biomaterials projects, with Woodbridge researching soy-based polyol in polyurethane automotive products.

Greencore plans to set up a demonstration plant in Mississauga for the production of its natural fibre reinforced composite.

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