New Fuel Cell Innovation Program To Spur Good Jobs, Foster Healthier Communities
The Ontario government is helping to make Ontario a leader in the global innovation economy by establishing an Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program, Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano said today.
“We are helping our alternative energy sector be more competitive. This program is one way we’re pushing harder on research and development so that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies — which power vehicles, homes, offices, cell phones and appliances — can be fully commercialized here in Ontario,” Cordiano said from Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading fuel cell and hydrogen company. “This will lead to more good jobs for Ontarians.”
Emerging fuel cell technology is also being developed to improve manufacturing processes that will benefit Ontario’s large-scale industries. The Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program will provide $3 million in annual funding through 2007-08 with a focus on commercialization and moving products to the manufacturing stage. The program will:
- Link small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario with researchers, business expertise and venture capital
- Allow new and existing fuel cell technologies to be applied to existing manufacturing and commercial applications, so that new technologies such as a standalone electricity power source for homes, for example, can be developed.
The Program builds on Ontario’s Research Commercialization Strategy to help turn Ontario’s public scientific and technological research into successful products that can be sold around the world.
“Ontario’s fuel cell program is great news for this relatively new growth sector,” said Pierre Rivard, CEO of Hydrogenics Corporation and Chair of Fuel Cells Canada. “Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are being developed for a wide range of uses that will touch our lives in many ways – at home, at work, and in the manufacturing industries that power our economy. Ontario’s investments will help us accelerate development and adoption of the technology right here in our home province.”
The Ontario Fuel Cell Innovation Program also builds on the government’s announcement earlier this week of the new Centre of Excellence for Energy. The Centre of Excellence for Energy will further the government’s innovation agenda by encouraging research and development into leading edge and emerging energy sources and technology.
“Our economic development strategies are placing a much stronger emphasis on commercialization of research and development to help to create more high value, well-paying jobs across the province,” Cordiano said. “The McGuinty government is investing in high technology industries like fuel cell manufacturing to give this province a competitive edge and high value jobs for Ontarians.”
Contacts:
Declan Doyle
Minister’s Office
416-325-8779
Lisa Roberts
Communications Branch
416-325-8773