Alberta water management gets boost, Partners with GE to explore innovations by David Finlayson, October 7, 2007, The Edmonton Journal
The province and General Electric have formed a partnership to find solutions to issues such as water management and pipeline corrosion. It’s the first time the world’s largest corporation has collaborated with a Canadian province, and Advanced Education and Technology Minister Doug Horner said Wednesday it will help technology and business development sectors market their innovations.
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Jeff Garwood, CEO of GE’s water and process technologies division, said the collaboration will work to protect Alberta’s natural resources through sound water and wastewater management in oil and gas, healthcare and other industries. There is no single priority, but GE has worldwide experience in pipeline corrosion, a major issue here, he said. “GE has 450 different products that are certified eco-friendly and I’m confident we’ll be able to add to that here. This agreement is just the beginning.” [Emphasis added]
New agreement with GE boosts Alberta’s advanced technology sector Press Release by the Alberta Government, October 10, 2007
Through the first strategic partnership between GE and a Canadian province, the Alberta government and GE Water & Process Technologies will collaborate to find technological solutions to challenges facing the province. A new Memorandum of Understanding signed October 10 focuses on long-term cooperative research and development initiatives in water-related areas such as mitigating pipeline corrosion.
Alberta water research gets $30 million by Calgary Herald, October 07, 2007
A $30-million government grant will spur research on some of the province’s key water-related environmental issues. The Alberta Water Research Institute grant calls for research proposals on habitat decline, biodiversity loss, water flow and water quality. “What we are really looking for is research that can be translated directly into stakeholder information and practical applications for water management policies and practices,” said Lorne Taylor, chairman of the Alberta Water Research Institute. “In other words, this isn’t about funding research that will sit on a shelf, this is about funding research that will make a real and meaningful difference to all Albertans,” said the former Alberta Environment minister.
The research will help develop technology to reduce the use of fresh water and boost cost-effective ways to reduce and recycle water.
Research priorities will focus on produced water treatment and recycling, oilsands tailings treatment with water recycling and reducing water use in electrical power generation. A multi-disciplinary approach, using ideas from biologists, engineers, economists and other social scientists, is key. Guidelines and application procedures can be found at waterinstitute.ca [Emphasis added]