Posted 28 March 2023 - 09:24 AM
SIPP has received $2 million from the province to administer a program along the BC coast. It’s an odd fit, but maybe this initiative is meant to stretch the coast and not just focus on “SIP.”:
B.C.-based “blue” technology and innovation is creating jobs for British Columbians, building a sustainable ocean economy, cutting the cost of ocean research and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“B.C. innovators are building connections, developing technology and fuelling research that will help transition B.C. to a low-carbon economy, including in the ocean-based sector,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Support for these leading-edge, pre-commercial projects ensures that British Columbians can continue to benefit from the growth and diversification of our first-class clean-technology sector.”
Seven projects received a total of $7 million from the Province’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, two of which will support the ocean-based economy.
Victoria-based Open Ocean Robotics received $1.75 million to develop solar-powered, uncrewed surface vehicles with sensors, cameras and communication devices that can capture information from anywhere on the ocean and relay it to researchers instantly. Its solar-powered robot surface vehicles can travel non-stop for months without producing any greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution or risk of oil spills.
South Island Prosperity Partnership’s (SIPP)’s Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) received $2 million to serve as a catalyst and cluster facilitator for the blue economy up and down British Columbia’s coastline. COAST is filling a gap in the West Coast’s ocean and marine industry by connecting emerging technologies to large industry players like shipping, shipbuilding and defence/aerospace.
“Our government recognizes the need to support research and development in emerging sectors, like the ocean economy,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Our province can and should play a key role in supporting projects that directly address climate change, and prepare people and communities across B.C. for both the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
The ICE Fund is part of CleanBC, the Province’s pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. CleanBC guides government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emissions targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.
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