Tilson announces support for developing innovative technology in Bolton

March 20, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Work in Bolton to capture waste exhaust from trucks has caught the attention of the federal government.
Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson was at EnerMotion Inc, in Bolton recently to announce an investment in the company’s work.
The amount of the investment is $49,527, and it’s to come from the National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).
Company President and CEO Jack MacDonnell said they are working on a box to go on the back of the cab of a truck. It’s designed to capture waste exhaust heat so it can be harnessed and stored. He explained this energy could be used to heat the cab or power refrigeration units on the rig. It would also reduce the need to have the vehicle idle.
He added IRAP has been providing funding for this work during the testing that has been going on. He added they will soon be in Florida, testing how the equipment works in warmer weather.
“It will be a world’s first,” he declared.
He said there are three full-time staffers working on this, along with two part-time and one contractor. He added the goal is to start hiring more people as money and private capital comes in.
Dr. John Stannard, chief technology officer, observed that these are high-tech jobs in the environmental sector, which the government is really focusing on these days.
Dave Gibbs, director of technology development, said work on the prototype started about five years ago.
MacDonnell said they are still crunching the numbers, but it’s hoped this device could cut the operating cost of a truck by $14,000 per year.
“Our government’s Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on the drivers of growth and job creation — innovation, investment, education, skills and communities,” Tilson observed. “We are supporting Canadian firms that successfully develop innovative technologies and helping businesses bring new ideas to the marketplace.”
The contribution will assist the Bolton-based company in perform on-road testing of the new waste energy recovery system for heavy Class 8 trucks. This energy-efficient heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system enables both cooling and heating while driving and eliminates engine idling while stationary.
IRAP provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services, along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada. It engages in cost-shared research and development projects with its clients. Firms helped by the program are better equipped to perform basic research and development, commercialize new products and processes, and access new markets.