$1.9M Research Chair to examine coal production efficiency
September 27, 2002 - A research chair aimed at increasing efficiency and decreasing the environmental impact of coal was announced today at the UofA. The NSERC/EPCOR/AERI Industrial Research Chair in Advanced Coal Cleaning and Combustion Technology will address the current academic deficiency in coal-related research in Alberta and Canada.
Anne McLellan, federal Minister of Health, welcomed the research focus of the new chair. “The program brings some of the best minds in university and industry together in response to the challenge of making coal a valuable and acceptable energy source for the 21st century.”
“Clean, sustainable energy is a priority for this government. In fact, developing clean coal technology is a major component of Alberta’s energy research strategy,” said Victor Doerksen, Minister of Innovation and Science on behalf the Alberta Energy Research Institute. “This new research chair builds on previous support of strategic energy initiatives and is important to the future of energy in this province. It also provides an opportunity for collaboration among industry, universities and government to develop new energy technologies, while ensuring Alberta’s economic and environmental prosperity.”
“Research that integrates the needs of the environment and the energy industry is of strategic importance at the dawn of the 21st century,” said Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) president Tom Brzustowski. “Dr. Xu’s work is very timely given Environment Canada’s forthcoming regulation and guidelines on mercury emissions.”
“EPCOR is proud of the fact that our Genesee Phase 3 will be the most advanced coal combustion power generation facility ever built in Canada. We view its development as an important step in our continuing efforts to both explore and employ the best available technology,” said Brian Vaasjo, Executive Vice President & President, Energy Division. “The establishment of this research chair adds another dimension to EPCOR’s efforts, and will serve to raise the bar in terms of environmental standards industry-wide.”
About 70 per cent of Canada’s coal resources are located in Alberta and it mines more coal than any other province. In addition, 80 per cent of Alberta’s electricity is generated using coal. This research chair was created because of the significant role coal plays in Canada’s energy picture and to fill the void left by the relatively small amount of academic research currently being conducted in the area.
Chemical and materials engineering professor, Zhenghe Xu, will hold the chair and his research will focus on understanding the mercury emission issues and developing viable technology for mercury emission control in coal-based power generation systems. Dr. Zhenghe will also continue his work on developing processes for the recovery of clean coal and water from coal tailings.
Funding for the chair comes from five sources: $625,000 each from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), EPCOR and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI); the UofA has contributed $50,000.
“The University of Alberta is proud to partner with NSERC, EPCOR and AERI on this significant research initiative,” said UofA President Rod Fraser. “This partnership provides a valuable opportunity to combine our resources to produce research for the long-term benefit of all Albertans and Canadians. As one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities, we are pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to the enhanced quality of our country’s future.”
The University of Alberta is one of Canada’s premier teaching and research universities serving more than 32,000 students with some 7,000 faculty and staff.
For more information please contact
Zhenghe Xu, NSERC/EPCOR/AERI
Industrial Research Chair in Advanced
Coal Cleaning and Combustion Technology,
780.492.7667; or Sandra Halme, Public Affairs, 780.492.0442
File No: 34
September 27, 2002
