lakehead u announces progress on bio-energy research: atikokan project at forefront of bio-economy

(november 9, 2009 --thunder bay, on) 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and its researchers, in collaboration with researchers from partner institutions, are pleased to announce progress made on their bio-energy research related to the atikokan bio-energy program. bio-energy is at the forefront of many issues concerning ontario's environmental and economic responsibilities, and the progress made by 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 researchers will help thunder bay and ontario stay competitive in the bio-energy sector.

research results and impacts to date include the submission of patent applications, creation of employment and business opportunities for specific demographics, development of research facilities unique to thunder bay and northwestern ontario, information sharing with thunder bay's core industry partners, and training of highly qualified personnel. to date, the project has involved more than 24 researchers across ontario and trained over 50 highly qualified personnel in various aspects of clean energy production based on peat/forest biomass. overall economic impact of the project exceeds $7.5 million across northwestern ontario.

in 2007, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , in collaboration with other institutional partners, spearheaded a research project to develop transformative technologies toward the utilization of abundant biomass resources, which aim to curtail co2 emissions from coal-fired generating stations such as those located in atikokan and thunder bay. this project received funding under the aegis of the atikokan bio-energy research centre from ontario centres of excellence and other governmental and private industry partners. research projects leading to clean energy under three well-defined research themes were conducted, led by 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 researchers dr. charles xu, dr. peter lee, and dr. reino pulkki.

"this research project is a huge undertaking that involves lakehead-based researchers and researchers from institutions across ontario," explains dr. rui wang, vice-president (research), 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 . "the overall goal of the project is to use biomass resources in the development of sustainable technologies that will allow the current atikokan generating station to partially replace coal to continue plant operations in the most environmentally efficient manner possible."

the project aims to produce electricity from bio-energy sources, reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and provide new economic opportunities - all of which would strengthen communities across the region and the province while securing ontario's standing as a leader in cleaner energy. "lakehead is proud to house cutting-edge research that is vital to so many aspects of society during these pivotal economic times," adds dr. wang. "these projects only add to lakehead's reputation as a research-intensive institution, and will nurture both the economic and environmental health of our community, region, and province."

each research theme of the project covers a range of practical and applied research topics in the field of bio-energy. they include dr. lee's research on environmental effects of wet-harvesting peat, dr. xu's research on biomass combustion for efficient energy production, and dr. pulkki's research on wood biomass harvesting, storage, and transportation strategies.

"atikokan is very thankful to all who are responsible for enabling the bio-energy research project to take place in atikokan," states atikokan mayor, dennis brown. "we are especially appreciative of: the funds provided by the provincial government; ontario power generation for allowing the participation of their staff; ontario centres of excellence for being responsible for coordinating the research; for the seven universities and colleges, especially 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and confederation college, for the valuable research they are conducting; and to the 29 partner organizations who have contributed $4.6 million through cash and in-kind support. the valuable information that has been obtained will assist not only atikokan but also northwestern ontario, ontario, and canada, and at the same time will hopefully ensure the continued operation of the atikokan and thunder bay plants. the continued operation of the atikokan plant is so crucial to the wellbeing of the town of atikokan."

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media: to arrange interviews with drs. wang, lee, xu, and pulkki, or to obtain documents pertaining to research objectives, results, and impacts, please contact communications officer heather scott at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca; or director of communications eleanor abaya at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca.

to arrange interviews with atikokan mayor, dennis brown, please contact him directly at
807-597-8050.

about lakehead
lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. with a main campus located in thunder bay, ontario and a campus in orillia, ontario, lakehead has over 7,700 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the northern ontario school of medicine. in 2006, research infosource inc. named 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 canada's research university of the year in the undergraduate category. for more information on 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , visit www.hsbcwebinars.com