Sub-activity 2.2.3

Clean Energy Science and Technology

Description

Energy production and use has environmental impacts that cannot be adequately addressed using current technologies. This sub activity establishes collaborations with academia, industry and the public sector to research, develop and demonstrate innovative solutions for environmental challenges in the energy sector. The long-term aim is to lay the foundation for the next generation of clean energy products and practices that will have fewer negative impacts on Canada's air, land and water, by funding and creating and advancing new energy knowledge and technologies. This sub activity is supported by the Program of Energy Research and Development and the Clean Energy Fund.

Non-Financial Performance Information

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Status	Results
Academia, industry and the public sector pursue new knowledge and technologies	Ratio of total Natural Resources Canada program investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration versus leveraged funding from partners.	1:1 ratio by  March 31, 2013	To be provided in the corresponding DPR	To be provided in the corresponding DPR

Financial Performance Information ($ thousands)

Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending
407,511	407,511	To be provided in the corresponding DPR

FSDS Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality

FSDS Goal 1 – Climate Change

Reduce greenhouse gas emission levels to mitigate the severity and unavoidable impacts of climate change.

FSDS Target 1.1 – Climate Change Mitigation

Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) 17% by 2020.

FSDS Implementation Strategy – Clean Air Agenda

1.1.5 Undertake and deliver scientific research and reporting in support of regulatory and other programs, including data analysis, inventory development, monitoring, modeling and assessment of the effectiveness of efforts as well as research on options, costs and benefits, and technology assessments. (EC, HC, NRCan, TC)

FSDS Implementation Strategies – Clean Energy

1.1.26  Supply financial aid and develop capacity to reduce GHGs through the adoption of emission reducing technologies and practices. (NRCan)

1.1.27  Use the Program on Energy Research and Development (PERD) to research and develop energy technologies that will reduce GHG emissions. (NRCan)

1.1.28  Use the Clean Energy Fund for transitioning the energy sector by developing and demonstrating new technologies that will reduce GHG emissions. (NRCan)

FSDS Implementation Strategy – Clean Transportation

1.1.37  Undertake research, development and deployment of new technologies to reduce GHGs. (NRCan)

How Activity Supports FSDS Target

The research, development and deployment of clean energy science, technology and knowledge in Canada will provide long-term solutions to reducing greenhouse gases emissions from energy production, conversion and end-use. Thus, Sub-activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation. The Program on Energy Research and Development (PERD) funds research and development designed to ensure a sustainable energy future for Canada in the best interest of both our economy and our environment. The program is specifically targeted to activities of federal departments and agencies. Research and development supported by the PERD helps to advance key clean energy technologies in Canada that will contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the future. Thus, Sub-activity – Clean Energy Science and Technology contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 – Climate Change Mitigation. The Clean Energy Fund is providing nearly $795 million over five years to advance Canadian leadership in clean energy technologies. The fund is investing specifically in large-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects and smaller-scale demonstration projects of renewable and alternative energy technologies. The advancement of key clean energy science and technology in Canada through the Clean Energy Fund will help provide long-term solutions to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases from energy production, conversion and end-use.  Thus, Sub-activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 – Climate Change Mitigation.

FSDS Goal 2 – Air Pollution

Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystems.

FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants

Reduce air pollutants in order to maintain or improve air quality across the country and achieve the emission targets which are currently under development in consultation with the provinces and stakeholders.

FSDS Implementation Strategy – Clean Energy

2.1.16 ecoACTION programs reduce GHG emissions and can directly or indirectly contribute to air pollutant emission reduction. (NRCan, TC, INAC)

FSDS Implementation Strategy – Clean Transportation  

2.1.23 Undertake research, development and deployment of new technologies to reduce GHG and other air-pollutant emissions. (NRCan)

How Activity Supports FSDS Target

The research, development and deployment of clean energy science, technology and knowledge in Canada will provide long-term solutions to reducing greenhouse gases emissions from energy production, conversion and end-use. Thus, Sub-activity - Clean Energy Science and Technology contributes to FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants.

Program Name: ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative

CAA Theme: Clean Energy

Description of ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative:

NRCan’s ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) is a new program that received $97 million in Budget 2011 for a comprehensive suite of research and development (R&D) and demonstration projects. The program’s objective is to support energy technology innovation to produce and use energy in a more clean and efficient way. This Initiative is a key component of the Government of Canada’s actions to achieve real emissions reductions, while maintaining Canada’s economic advantage and its ability to create jobs for Canadians. The ecoEII will also help in the search for long-term solutions to reducing and eliminating air pollutants from energy production and use.

Expected program results for 2012-13:

The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative’s program increases clean energy knowledge and stakeholder awareness through the funding of research and projects that support academia, industry and the public sector in producing and using energy in a more clean and efficient way. Activities funded will be in five strategic priority areas: energy efficiency; clean electricity and renewable fuels; bioenergy; electrification of transportation; and unconventional oil and gas. In 2012-13, funding for ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative projects will be approved for government, academic and private sector research and development projects and for demonstration projects with external public and private stakeholders.