Venture Kamloops

Green Energy

Green Energy in Kamloops – an Industry Snapshot

Aug 5, 2015
The green energy, or bioenergy, industry in Kamloops is experiencing rapid growth. Bioenergy is the renewable energy used to produce electricity, heat and bio-products production. The more common types of bioenergy being used in Kamloops right now are geothermal energy and using wood waste to produce energy. In fact, the city is home to the first geothermal community in Canada – Sun Rivers Community Development Corporation.
 
Kamloops is also the proud home of Nexterra Energy Corporation’s research and development facility. Nexterra develops, manufactures and delivers advanced gasification systems that enable customers to self-generate clean, low costs heat and power at industrial and institutional facilities using waste fuels. Some local companies that have benefited from their technology include Domtar and Tolko Industries Ltd.

 
Kamloops’ Competitive Advantages for the Green Energy Industry
 
Kamloops’ Location: Kamloops is a prime location to include bioenergy as a primary “pillar” for ongoing economic growth. The city’s proximity to several sawmills allows for a competitive wood waste cost incentive, plus the available beetle kill wood and chips/pulp that can support feedstock requirements. This raw wood waste has the capability of supporting future biorefinery production needs.
 
Strong Infrastructure: Kamloops has over 2,200 acres of affordable land zoned for industrial use, much of which is vacant. There are eight industrial parks; some with both rail and highway access and the city enjoys a reliable supply of affordable power and telecommunications.
 
Local Resources and Support: There are more than 125 fabrication and manufacturing companies operating in the city and businesses enjoy extensive research and development support by the Interior Science and Innovation Council, FORREX, Nexterra and Thompson Rivers University. In terms of raw materials, wood species, lumber grades, fibre supply and wood waste are available at competitive prices.
 
Skilled & Educated Labour Force: The city enjoys a diverse pool of trades, forestry specialists, contract loggers, truckers and silviculture workers. Additionally, Kamloops is home to Thompson Rivers University (TRU). With over 1,200 graduates annually from a wide variety of diploma, undergraduate and graduate programs, TRU works closely with community and industry organizations, and all levels of government. Since 1996, TRU faculty and students have worked with over 200 manufacturing and technology businesses to develop and implement commercial applications of new and existing technologies and innovations. Projects including consulting for wood products and other manufacturing companies, equipment automation projects for industry, technology commercialization, business start-up and marketing advice, and applied research and development to regional and provincial businesses and industries. 
 
Lifestyle: Kamloops has a vast landscape with plenty of room in which to play and engage in an array of recreational opportunities, all while enjoying over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Housing is affordable and the cost of doing business is competitive, plus the area boasts exceptional schooling options and healthcare services. Employee retention is high in Kamloops with employees citing an affordable, quality of life in the region as a major plus.

 
Incentives for the Green Energy Industry
 
International Business Activity (formerly International Financial Activity Act): The province’s International Business Activity (IBA) program provides eligible corporations, and specialists who work for those corporations, a refund of the B.C. income tax paid on income related to the corporation’s international business carried on in B.C. More information
 
Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund: The Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund encourages the development of new sources of clean energy and technologies to help support local economies in communities across B.C. ICE Fund projects create opportunities for the provincial government to forge partnerships with B.C.’s industries, municipalities and world-class universities. More information
 
ecoENERGY: The Government of Canada has invested nearly $5 billion in the ecoENERGY initiatives to help Canadians use energy more efficiently, boost renewable energy supplies and develop cleaner energy technologies. There are additional initiatives available through the federal program. More information
 
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program: The SR&ED Program is a federal tax incentive program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors, to conduct research and development in Canada. It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D. The SR&ED Program gives claimants cash refunds and / or tax credits for their expenditures on eligible R&D work done in Canada. 
 
Machinery and Equipment Investment: Purchase of eligible machinery and equipment is exempted from Provincial Sales Tax (PST). Eligible expenditures include machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, software development, mining and mineral exploration, petroleum and natural gas production and logging.
 
FortisBC Heavy-duty Natural Gas Vehicles Incentive Program: Following the Government of B.C.’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulation announcement, FortisBC has an incentive funding program to assist qualifying heavy-duty fleet operators to purchase natural gas vehicles which will allow companies to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and see fuel savings. 

 
Green Energy Resources
 
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Research: Thompson Rivers University is developing a vibrant and collaborative research and innovation culture, with a focus on curiosity-driven research, community-based research, applied research, technology transfer, and knowledge translation. The research excellence is supported through a commitment to research infrastructure, research facilities, internal research funding, research chairs, knowledge mobilization resources, and student research. 
 
National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP): The program provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory services to support growth-oriented Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. This can include non-repayable contributions to Canadian firms interested in research to develop their services, products and processes. 
 
B.C. Renaissance Capital Fund: The B.C. Renaissance Capital Fund Ltd. is a Crown corporation that is wholly owned by the B.C. Immigrant Investment Fund. The Renaissance Fund attracts successful venture capital managers and their capital to B.C. to develop promising, innovative technology companies in the province. The fund was created to pursue investment in four key technology sectors: digital media, information technology, life sciences and clean technology. To date, the Renaissance Fund has committed capital to eight venture capital fund managers based in the U.S. and Canada that have over $2.5 billion in capital under management for investment. 

 
Green Energy Organizations
 
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources: The Ministry of Energy and Mines is responsible for the management of B.C.’s energy, mineral and petroleum resources to ensure environmental protection and worker safety. 
 
BC Bioenergy Network: BC Bioenergy Network is an industry-led initiative that is the catalyst for deploying near-term bioenergy technologies and supporting mission-driven research to build a world class bioenergy capability in B.C. 
 
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC): Sustainable Development Technology Canada is a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil, and which deliver economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians. 
 
Interior Science Innovation Council (ISIC): Established in 1999, the Interior Science Innovation Council is a not-for-profit society working to promote, develop and enhance economic and community development in the Central Interior of British Columbia. ISIC is about enabling opportunities for using science and technology as a catalyst for commercialization and also creating and promoting a culture of knowledge, awareness and entrepreneurial excitement in the fields of science and technology. It provides many services for entrepreneurs as well as industry in the region, some of which are providing leadership and direction, sector analysis, research on key regional issues, increasing networking opportunities, outlining Science and Technology available funding and direction for management. 
 
B.C. Environment Industry Association (BCEIA): An industry association comprising engineering & environmental service companies and technology companies working to support those who protect the environment. 
 
B.C. Hydro Programs & Incentives: B.C. Hydro has funding and incentives for many projects from energy studies and capital projects to hiring an energy manager and developing a comprehensive energy plan. 
 
Trade and Invest British Columbia: A Provincial Government department that promotes commerce and investment in B.C. and administers B.C.’s venture capital programs. 
 
Wood Pellet Association of Canada: A member-driven organization advancing the interests of Canadian wood pellet producers. Their goal is to help members grow through promoting the role of wood pellets in the Canadian and global markets, supporting market and technical research, and encouraging fair and open energy trade. 
 
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA): The foundation works to promote and advance the use of renewable fuels for transportation – to protect our environment by reducing harmful emissions and to grow our economy by creating the good, green-energy jobs of the future. 

Source: http://venturekamloops.com/industries/green-energy/