GASPÉ, on June 26, 2024 – Nergica, an applied research center that drives innovation in renewable energy, and the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles are proud to receive $1 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s College Fund (CFI). This funding will modernize Nergica’s research infrastructure—which is unique in North America—and enable the implementation of research and innovation projects on microgrids with very high renewable energy penetration rates.

 

Full-scale facilities and renowned experts

More specifically, this funding will support the acquisition of new energy production and storage facilities that will be added to the existing microgrid at Nergica’s research site in Rivière-au-Renard. Nergica will carry out research and technical validation projects, particularly related to green hydrogen, promoting better integration of renewable energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It will also enable Nergica to expand the support it offers to communities as they undertake their energy transition.

This investment helped expand the pool of technical experts in the field of microgrids by training highly qualified personnel through applied research and technological development activities.

 

Real-world experience: the key to success

Offering numerous benefits, the research equipment to be acquired will enable the practical testing and development of new technologies and solutions for microgrids, thereby promoting innovation in the field of renewable energy.

College and university students will be able to take advantage of these state-of-the-art facilities through various research projects, which will enrich their practical and theoretical education and better prepare them for the challenges of the job market. This infrastructure will also enable closer collaboration with industry, offering opportunities for collaborative research, joint technology development, and field testing.

“The project demonstrates the opportunity for our two organizations to continue their mission of providing support at the regional and national levels. Adding this capacity to produce and use green hydrogen is strategic for Nergica, as these are cutting-edge technologies that will increasingly form part of the energy solutions we’ll see deployed in Quebec in the coming years. This will allow us to expand our area of expertise by continuing to work on applied research projects that provide concrete solutions for industry and communities.”

– Frédéric Côté, CEO of Nergica

 

“I would like to thank the federal government for the confidence this funding demonstrates. Thanks to the financial support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, this innovative project will become a reality. It will help position the region at the forefront of the energy sector and contribute to efforts toward carbon neutrality. In addition, students in the research-track program will benefit from exciting new opportunities thanks to this new infrastructure, which will enrich their academic experience.”

– Yolaine Arseneau, Executive Director of the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles

 

 

– 30 –

 

About Nergica

Nergica is a Canadian applied research center that drives innovation in renewable energy through research, technical assistance, technology transfer, and support for businesses and communities. Its mission is to accelerate the development and adoption of renewable energy. More specifically, Nergica specializes in developing solutions that promote the integration of renewable energy, optimize the performance of wind and solar power plants, and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  Adopting a technology-neutral approach, the research center collaborates with all stakeholders across the energy value chain.

 

For more information, visit the website www.nergica.com.

 

About the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles

As the region’s only institution of higher education, the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles consists of four campuses and a national school. It offers pre-university, technical, and vocational programs. The Cégep stands out for the quality of its education in an exceptional environment, the diversity of its programs, its research activities, its continuing education offerings, and its international outreach.

 

 

Sources

Nergica

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des ÎlesFor further information

Maryse Paquette

Nergica

Director of Marketing and Communications

Cell: 418-271-1001

mpaquette@nergica.com