Oilsands, magnetic bearings lead to science prizes for students

Oilsands remediation and hybrid bearings research earn two Calgary high school students national innovation recognition

A healthy dandelion sprouting through road pavement triggered curiosity in Kelcie Miller-Anderson about the potential of a different approach to remediating tailings ponds of Canada's oilsands industry.

And a penchant for improving on existing technology to provide greater benefits for society led 16 year-old Zeyu Liu to develop a hybrid magnetic bearing system that could broaden bearing applications to consumer products.

Both Calgary students earned national recognition for innovation from the Manning Awards at the fifty-first Canada-Wide Science Fair this week at the University of Prince Edward Island.

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Canada's forestry sector working to reinvent itself

Forest product exports to China went from $32 million a decade ago to $4 billion in 2011. New markets and new products will drive the industry's growth over next decade.

Canada’s forestry industry says it hopes to add 60,000 new jobs by 2020, and will generate $20 billion in economic activity in the next eight years through exports to emerging markets and to a recovering United States market.

The head of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Catherine Cobden, said that they were launching Vision 2020 as a challenge to the sector and governments, with the goal of generating new revenues and growing markets. The industry was hard hit by the downturn in the US housing market and is now emerging and “transforming itself” by improving productivity and competitiveness. Finding ways to produce new, innovative products from wood is the challenge it now sets itself.

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Manufacturing, wholesale sales both higher in March: StatsCan

Shipments of Canadian manufactured goods increased in March by 1.9 per cent to $49.7 billion, the largest gain since September 2011. Petroleum and coal products led the increase, Statistics Canada reports, with sales hitting $7.5 billion, an increase of 4.5 per cent, the highest in nearly four years. The increase was largely the result of higher sales volumes at oil refineries.

Thirteen of the twenty-one industries tracked showed increases in March, with strongest gains in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. In Ontario, growth of 1.9 per cent, to $22.4 billion, was widespread, reflecting increases in petroleum products, motor vehicle assembly, chemical and computer and electronic product industries.

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Gas prices to remain close to last summer's: NEB

Gas prices won't shoot higher this summer, remaining in the $1.20–$1.35 range, and wholesale electricity prices will also remain relatively low, according to the National Energy Board of Canada.

Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) says that gas prices at the pump this summer will remain close to what they were last summer. Likewise, natural gas and electricity wholesale prices will remain relatively low because of supply  surpluses.

The price of regular gasoline will be between $1.20 and $1.35 per litre, assuming that West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stays at around $100 a barrel, a price that is cheaper than world benchmarks. This is expected to be the case as WTI continues to trade at discount prices because of supply and demand “imbalances” in North America.

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Enbridge announces $3.2 billion in pipeline expansions

Enbridge Inc. announced $3.2 billion in pipeline expansion projects today. The energy transport company will proceed with Eastern Access projects that include the 80,000 bpd expansion of its Toledo Pipeline, which serves refineries in Ohio and Michigan, and a re-reversal of a 240,000 bpd line from Ontario to Montreal, serving Quebec refineries. The company is also expected to proceed with the expansion of its US mainline system between Illinois and Sarnia, Ontario.

Additional supporting mainline improvements include expansion of the pipeline (Line 62) between Flanagan and Griffith, Indiana, an additional 330,000 barrel tank at Griffith, and the replacement of additional sections of Line 6B in Indiana and Michigan not already scheduled for replacement as previously announced. The capacity of Spearhead North will increase by 105,000 bpd and the capacity of Line 6B will increase by 260,000 bpd. The expected cost of the mainline expansions is $2.2 billion, including the $0.1 billion cost of the previously announced Line 5 expansion.

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Resources are main hope for economy over next two years: report

In Ontario, the auto industry will bolster manufacturing sector and exports. Elsewhere in the country, resources are key. according to Conference Board of Canada report.

Resources are the key to Canada’s economic growth over the next two years, according to the Conference Board of Canada’s Provincial Outlook: Spring 2012.

Alberta will benefit from higher oil prices and expanded activity at oil sands, experiencing the fastest economic growth in the country in both 2012 and 2013. Bolstered by strong income gains and population growth twice the national pace, Alberta's economy is forecast to grow in the next two years by 3.8 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively.

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Avionics company Rockwell Collins names Firan supplier of the year

The FTG Circuits Toronto operation of Firan Technology Group was presented with the 2012 Printed Circuit Board Category Supplier of the Year Award during the company's Annual Supplier Conference.

The Supplier of the Year award is an acknowledgement of significant contributions made during the year by suppliers and is based upon quality, delivery, total cost of ownership, lead time and customer service.

In addition to being awarded the Category Supplier of the Year Award, Firan Technology Group was named one of Rockwell Collins' top 10 Green Suppliers. The award recognizes corporations for their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

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Mining outlook good in BC as revenues, investments grow

Report on mining in BC says province has a lot to be optimistic about. 

Revenues for mining companies in British Columbia reached a historic high in 2011, with a $2 billion increase from the previous year, according to a new report from PwC. The increase pushed the aggregate gross mining revenues by survey respondents up to $9.9 billion. More than half of the total revenues (59 per cent) in 2011 were from coal, the most significant commodity for the BC mining industry, Metallurgical coal shipments reached 24.5 million tonnes in 2011 at an average price of $US257/tonne. Total revenues from coal in 2011 totaled $5.1 billion.

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Mike Holmes makes strong pitch for solar leasing, renewable energy

Mike Holmes argues for programs like Microsoft's PURE Energies solar leasing, which installs solar panels on residences and shares profits, if any, with the homeowner.

Canada’s best known home builder, Mike Holmes, is a strong advocate for renewable energy. Renewable energy and green technologies are important to him, Holmes says in the National Post today, because the homes he builds will be around for years and he has to think about the environment they will be in in the future.

Pointing out that energy costs are constantly rising, resources being depleted and environmental “fallout” at a critical point, Holmes says we should see the current situation as an opportunity, not a hopeless crisis. There’s no conflict of interest between the environment and industry; on the contrary, the economy can grow stronger the more we help the environment with new infrastructures, new technologies and new skills.

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Bombardier launches two new Learjet models in Geneva

Learjet 70/75 will "revolutionize" the light jet segment, says Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace launched the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva. The new aircraft build on Learjet strengths and successes while leveraging Learjet 85 aircraft technology. The jets will feature a new modern design interior, a next generation cabin management system, the Vision Flight Deck with a state-of-the-art avionics suite, superior aircraft performance and low operating costs. Entry-into-service is scheduled for the first half of 2013.

The aircrafts’ performance will be enhanced through increased engine thrust provided by an improved Honeywell engine, offering improved takeoff performance over its predecessor. Weight savings and new canted winglets will improve aerodynamic efficiency. Overall, up to a nine per cent improvement in field performance under hot and high conditions* and up to a four per cent improvement in fuel efficiency are expected, according to Bombardier.

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