DOCSLIB.ORG

2019–20 Annual Report Innovation Unleashed

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2019–20 Annual Report Innovation Unleashed 2019–20 AnnuAL REPORT Innovation Unleashed Contents 4 Message From Our Board Chair 40 GOAL 5 Be recognized globally as a leading innovation engine. 5 Message From Our CEO 44 InnoTech Alberta 6 Accountability Statement 50 Management Discussion & Analysis 7 Executive Summary 52 Management’s Responsibility for Reporting 9 Annual Report at a Glance 53 Statutory Report 11 Context and Outlook 54 Audited Financial Statements 13 Results & Achievements 78 Report on Risk Management 16 GOAL 1 Making the lives of Albertans better today and for generations to come by contributing to a 80 Appendix A diversified economy, cleaner and sustainable Tech Comm Scorecard environment, and healthier communities. 23 GOAL 2 82 Appendix B Cultivate a world-class research and innovation Outcome Survey Results system that meets the needs of Alberta. 83 Appendix C GOAL 3 29 InnoTech Alberta Drive the generation of discoveries and developments that positively impact Alberta and its industries by leveraging partnerships, 87 Appendix D collaborations and emerging technology platforms. C-FER Technologies 34 GOAL 4 Accelerate and broaden the use of innovative products, technologies and processes. 4 ALBERTA INNOVATES Annual Report 2019–20 Despite financial and budget constraints and the pandemic Message from setback, our partnerships and focus on performance impact yielded results: every dollar that Alberta Innovates has invested in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been leveraged the Board Chair through other sources, generating $7.37 in SME net revenue growth, and $23.50 in follow-on investment (78 per cent from private funding). SMEs supported through our vouchers and related programs have seen an increase in job growth by 11 per cent. Through our system-level approach to innovation, we connect partners across sectors and industries. We help them identify and test solutions to improve their environmental performance and success in their markets. Alberta Innovates holds unwavering confidence in the advantages presented in five areas that leverage Alberta’s unique strengths and tap global opportunities in areas that will not be easily commoditized: • Digital health technologies and artificial intelligence can speed up improvements in quality and long-term Brenda Kenny PhD sustainability of health systems at home and worldwide. • Smart agricultural technologies and expertise are leading to more sustainable and efficient production and processes, Though Alberta faces difficulties, generating jobs and better food security. • Natural materials for carbon fibre and other innovative our investment in innovation hydrocarbon products are plentiful in Alberta and have an added economic potential of approximately $84 billion continues to pay dividends. annually – three times the revenue of our current bitumen output. Our corporation came through a year of change even more • As a leader in artificial intelligence Alberta ranks in the top three international centres for machine learning, a field strategically focused, operationally aligned and organizationally estimated at up to $16 trillion in global economic output over resilient. Fiscal 2019–20 marked Year 3 of consolidation and the next decade. Year 2 of the new strategic plan and direction. We adapted and • A vigorous entrepreneurial ecosystem is gaining strength adjusted staffing, structure and processes through the year with in Alberta, supported by micro-financing, business coaching a clear understanding that innovation lies at the heart of Alberta’s and an active venture capital market. Together with leading current and long-term economic interests. Implementation of our university partners, Alberta Innovates is creating a swift strategy was deliberate and driven to leverage the strengths and and seamless pathway to enable market commercialization improve performance of the province’s innovation system. sooner. A very challenging financial context through the first three quarters of 2019 became even more acute as the COVID-19 Now, thanks to the demonstrated scale and speed of pandemic gripped the province and the world in early 2020. As collaboration to contain and recover from the pandemic, the government shifts from pandemic response to economic re-entry, next big innovations will be within reach faster than ever. It’s the we understand that permanent changes have occurred. Jobs transformational opportunity of a lifetime and Alberta Innovates have been erased, capital spend has been paused and liquidity is well-prepared, both as a technical leader and as hub and is strained. Communities are gripped by uncertainty and every connector, to coalesce the innovation system and advance the aspect of global trade, markets and supply chains have been province’s ambitions on a global stage. Our drive for innovation in fundamentally altered. difficult times will lead to a strong and diverse Alberta. As bleak as this business context is, the pandemic also highlighted the amazing speed and power of innovation and collaboration across borders – from tracking outbreaks to rapid research into treatment and control. New consumer preferences, retail realities, health-system practices and ecological insights are emerging. Though disruptive, the opportunities these present for Alberta are significant. ALBERTA INNOVATES Annual Report 2019–20 5 Innovation is key to economic growth and diversification, Message and that has never been more important than it is now. Regions and countries that get this – and which bring public and private sectors, knowledge and natural resources together seamlessly from the CEO and swiftly – will command advantage in the borderless marketplace of the post-pandemic world. The effects of the economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic were being fully felt in Alberta at year-end. This, combined with deep budget cuts over several years, resulted in a reduced workforce and a tight operating budget, and required us to rethink our programming. Nonetheless it did not diminish our resolve to deliver high-impact results for Albertans and the details are outlined in this report. We found new collaborators and funding sources, formed new industry partnerships and leveraged pan-Canadian networks to drive transformative innovations: • Advanced hydrocarbons and an advanced manufacturing sector focused on non-combustion, bitumen-derived products such as carbon fibre, activated carbon and asphalt binders for Laura J. Kilcrease global markets; • The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network focused on improved crop and food production Alberta Innovates is the system-wide by bringing together agriculture, manufacturing, food processing, data and analytics, and pure technology; and innovation engine for thousands • Digital health platforms for better-quality patient care and cost-savings to the health-care system, enabled by the of researchers, entrepreneurs, unprecedented amounts of data in Alberta’s integrated provincial health-care system and a population of sufficient industry partners and investors. size that allows us to test solutions. We are the catalyst, convener These are game-changing initiatives that will bolster the economy of Alberta while creating long-term opportunities and performance optimizer of at scale for Albertans. Let me close with a comment about our signature event – a system that encompasses all Inventures – which, in only its second year, drew some 4,000 people economic sectors. from 32 countries, and included 235 speakers, and 66 start-up and student pitch events, delivered across six tracks and more than 100 sessions. Though vitally important, the engine is often hidden from view A PricewaterhouseCoopers assessment estimated that and you don’t really think about how it is getting you from one between $116 million and $249 million of GDP footprint in Alberta destination to another. Alberta Innovates acts in much the same way. could be attributed to business transactions at Inventures. We put our expertise, facilities and funding to work behind Inventures puts a spotlight on what Albertans are capable of. the scenes so our partners and clients can achieve breakthroughs This report is as much their story as it is our annual performance that activate Alberta’s economy in the short, medium and long update. Innovation has created tremendous wealth in the past term. Our impact gains visibility through the successes of for Alberta, and Alberta Innovates will continue to drive the those we work with – from researchers in university labs to collaboration and innovation that will create wealth in the future. entrepreneurs who use our programs to take their ideas from start-up to scale. Their testimonials tell our story. One illustration of the value generated through our strategic programs and services is that more than 60 per cent of early- stage technology start-ups in Calgary were supported by Alberta Innovates. Our annual survey showed that our support contributed to an 87 per cent survival rate among small-to- medium enterprises. And, this enabled nearly 2,400 jobs to be created by 631 SMEs we funded between 2015 and 2019. 6 ALBERTA INNOVATES Annual Report 2019–20 Accountability Statement The Alberta Innovates Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 2020, was prepared under the Board’s discretion in accordance with the Alberta Research and Innovation Regulation, and the ministerial guidelines established pursuant to the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA) and the Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act. All material economic, environmental or fiscal implications,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Petroleum History Society Oil Sands Oral History
    Ch F-X ang PD e -1- w Click to buy NOW! w m o w c .d k. ocu-trac PETROLEUM HISTORY SOCIETY OIL SANDS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT TRANSCRIPT MARY CLARK SHEPPARD, DAUGHTER OF KARL ADOLPH CLARK, THE SCIENTIST WHO DEVELOPED THE HOT-WATER RECOVERY TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTRACTION OF THE OIL FROM THE ALBERTA OIL SANDS. AUTHOR OF OIL SANDS SCIENTIST: THE LETTERS OF KARL A. CLARK: 1920-1949 AND ATHABASCA OIL SANDS: FROM LABORATORY TO PRODUCTION – THE LETTERS OF KARL A. CLARK, 1950-66. Date and place of birth: Edmonton, Alberta – January 29, 1927 Date and place of interview: 10:45 a.m., May 23, 2011.in Mrs. Sheppard’s home at 905, 10135 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB Tel. 780-439-1690 110 Causeway Head Road Sheffield S17 3DW England Name of Interviewer: Adriana A. Davies, CM, PHD Name of Videographer: David Bates Consent form signed: Yes Initials of Interviewer: AAD Last name of subject: SHEPPARD AD: Mary is the third child of four born to Karl and Dora Clark. She attended the University of Alberta from 1946 to 1949 in a general Arts program. She then went to Toronto to attend the Royal Conservatory of Music, but her studies were cut short by her mother’s illness. Eventually, she ended up working for about ten years in the 1950s in the conventional oil industry. Sponsors of The Oil Sands Oral History Project include the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, Athabasca Oil Sands Corp., Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Canadian Oil Sands Limited, Connacher Oil and Gas Limited, Imperial Oil Limited, MEG Energy Corp., Nexen Inc., Suncor Energy and Syncrude Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Bitumen Partial Upgrading 2018 Whitepaper
    Bitumen Partial Upgrading 2018 Whitepaper AM0401A Alberta Innovates Prepared By Bill Keesom, Jacobs Consultancy – Technical Lead John Gieseman, Jacobs Consultancy – Project Manager March 2018 Document Title Bitumen Partial Upgrading 2018 Whitepaper - AM0401A Study No: JC158400 Document Title: Bitumen Partial Upgrading 2018 Whitepaper - AM0401A Client Name: Alberta Innovates Date: March 2018 Study Manager: John Gieseman Approved by: Robert S. Brasier Jacobs Consultancy Inc. 525 W. Monroe, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60661 United States www.jacobsconsultancy.com [email protected] This study or report was prepared by Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc., (“Jacobs”) for the sole benefit of ALBERTA INNOVATES. There are no third party beneficiaries intended, and none of Jacobs and its affiliates, Alberta Innovates or any of their respective officers, directors, partners, employees, agents shall have any liability whatsoever to third parties for any defect, deficiency, error, or omission in any statement contained in or any way related to the study or report or any related documents. Neither Jacobs nor any person acting on Jacobs’ behalf make any warranty, express or implies, or assumes any liability with respect to use or reliance on any information, technology, engineering or methods disclosed or discussed in the study or report. Any forecasts, estimates, projections, opinions or conclusions reached in the study or report are dependent upon numerous technical and economic conditions over which Jacobs has no control, and which are or may not occur. Reliance upon such opinions or conclusions by any person or entity is at the sole risk of the person relying thereon. The data, information and assumptions used to develop the report or study were obtained or derived from documents or information furnished by others.
    [Show full text]
  • Download/2014-Ghg-Emissions-From-Oil-Sands-Tailings-Ponds-Overview- And-Modelling-Based-On-Fermentable-Sub.Pdf (Accessed on 14 May 2021)
    minerals Review Geochemical Stability of Oil Sands Tailings in Mine Closure Landforms Heidi L. Cossey 1, Anya E. Batycky 1 , Heather Kaminsky 2 and Ania C. Ulrich 1,* 1 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada; [email protected] (H.L.C.); [email protected] (A.E.B.) 2 Centre for Oil Sands Sustainability, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton, AB T5G 0Y2, Canada; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-780-492-8293 Abstract: Oil sands surface mining in Alberta has generated over a billion cubic metres of waste, known as tailings, consisting of sands, silts, clays, and process-affected water that contains toxic organic compounds and chemical constituents. All of these tailings will eventually be reclaimed and integrated into one of two types of mine closure landforms: end pit lakes (EPLs) or terrestrial landforms with a wetland feature. In EPLs, tailings deposits are capped with several metres of water while in terrestrial landforms, tailings are capped with solid materials, such as sand or overburden. Because tailings landforms are relatively new, past research has heavily focused on the geotechnical and biogeochemical characteristics of tailings in temporary storage ponds, referred to as tailings ponds. As such, the geochemical stability of tailings landforms remains largely unknown. This review discusses five mechanisms of geochemical change expected in tailings landforms: consolidation, chemical mass loading via pore water fluxes, biogeochemical cycling, polymer degradation, and surface water and groundwater interactions. Key considerations and knowledge gaps with regard Citation: Cossey, H.L.; Batycky, A.E.; Kaminsky, H.; Ulrich, A.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Alberta Innovates Business Plan 2019-22
    ALBERTA INNOVATES BUSINESS PLAN 2019-22 i TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 VISION AND MANDATE ................................................................................................................ 1 CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY .................................................................................................... 1 CORPORATE GOALS ..................................................................................................................... 2 FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY ................................................................................................................... 3 Strategic Priorities to Drive Innovation .............................................................................. 4 OUR VALUE TO ALBERTA ............................................................................................................... 6 EVOLVING FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS ........................................................................................ 9 IMPLEMENTING OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY ................................................................................ 9 Develop Emerging Technologies ........................................................................................ 9 Enhance the Knowledge Workforce ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Accelerating Innovation 2 Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures BUSINESS PLAN 2016-19 3 Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures BUSINESS PLAN 2016-19
    ACCELERATING INNOVATION Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures Futures Alberta Innovates-Technology BUSINESS PLAN 2016-19 2 3 Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures Futures Alberta Innovates-Technology THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO MAKE STRATEGIC AND EFFECTIVE USE OF GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA FUNDING TO MEET THE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION BUSINESS PLAN 2016-19 PRIORITIES OF THE PROVINCE. MANDATE (2010) Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures is an integral part of Alberta Innovates – a strategically aligned and integrated provincial research and innovation system. Under the banner of Alberta Innovates, the corporation works with key innovation support agencies, with publicly funded post-secondary institutions, industry and government to further research and innovation in the province and make Alberta more competitive in the global economy. The Government of Alberta has AITF will create value through: given the Corporation the following • Increased effectiveness and integration of planning, responsibilities: funding and service delivery. • Support, for the economic and social well-being of • Alignment of programs and investments toward Albertans, research and innovation activities targeted priority areas and outcomes. at the development and growth of technology-based sectors and aligned to Government of Alberta priorities, • Improved coordination between business, technical including, without limitation, activities directed at the and networking services. commercialization of technology and the application • Increased program and investment focus on of knowledge. commercialization and product development. • Meet the research and innovation priorities of • Improved facilitation of knowledge, intellectual the Government in the following areas or in a property (IP) and skill transfer within the system, combination of the areas: and between academia, industry and government. agriculture; forestry; • Improved accountability and outcomes through energy; integrated performance monitoring and continuous the environment; improvement processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Bitumen Beyond Combustion (BBC) Project Phase 1 Report
    Project Number: AI-EES 2383 Bitumen Beyond Combustion (BBC) Project Phase 1 Report Prepared for Alberta Innovates Axel Meisen, C.M., Ph.D., P.Eng., FCAE, FCIC [email protected] April 16, 2017 Ref: BBC Project - Phase 1 Report 0416x.docx (2017) Project Number: AI-EES 2383 DISCLAIMER AIberta Innovates and other contributors to this Report make no warranty, express or implied with respect to the reliability, accuracy, completeness, usefulness, validity or fitness of any information, apparatus, product, process, analysis or conclusions contained in this Report. Any and all implied or statutory warranties of merchantability or fitness for any purpose are expressly excluded. Alberta Innovates and other contributors do not represent or warrant that the use of any information, apparatus, product, process, analysis or conclusions contained in this Report will not infringe on the rights of any other person. Reference in this Report to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by Alberta Innovates and other contributors to this Report. The views and opinions of the author expressed in this Report do not reflect those of Alberta Innovates and other contributors to this Report. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The support and advice from members of the Project Team and their organizations (Alberta Innovates, Bowman Centre for Sustainable Energy, Canmet Energy, Cenovus, CNRL, Conoco Phillips, InnoTech Alberta, MEG Energy, Shell, Suncor) are gratefully acknowledged, as are the perspectives provided by numerous others, most notably representatives of BASF Canada and Nexen, Prof. Weixing Chen, Prof. Arno De Klerk, and Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Institutional Strategic Plan, University of Alberta
    INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN BUILDEXPERIENCE EXCELENGAGESUSTAIN FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD 2 The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people. 3 FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD Passed unanimously by General Faculties Council and the Board of Governors in June 2016, For the Public Good expresses the vision, values, history, and aspirations of the University of Alberta’s broad, diverse community of scholars and staff. It reflects the strength of our many alumni, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders’ support and invites them to deepen their involvement with us—to help us build, experience, excel, engage, and sustain for the public good. The success of our plan depends on all of us playing a role. As president and provost, we commit to leading initiatives where we can have the greatest impact—we ask you to do the same. Use the plan. Work and grow with it. Write in the margins. Expand on it. Be empowered by it and accountable to it. Together, with dedication and commitment, we will continue to build one of the world’s great universities for the public good. David Turpin, Steven Dew President and Vice-chancellor Provost and Vice-president (Academic) 4 VISION To inspire the human spirit through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery, and citizenship in a creative community, building one of the world’s great universities for the public good. MISSION Within a vibrant and supportive learning environment, the University of Alberta discovers, disseminates, and applies new knowledge for the benefit of society through teaching and learning, research and creative activity, community involvement, and partnerships.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2011/12
    Evidence First R ANNUAL REPORT 2011/2012 Science Advice in the Public Interest Council of Canadian Academies 180 Elgin St., Suite 1401, Ottawa, ON K2P 2K3 Telephone: 613.567.5000 | Fax: 613.567.5060 www.scienceadvice.ca @scienceadvice Table of Contents Message from the Chair 2 Message from the President 3 Introduction 4 Assessments: Evidence for Sound Public Policy 5 Completed Assessments 5 Assessments in Progress During 2011/12 9 New Assessment Questions for 2012/13 13 Completed Assessments, Continuing Impact 15 About the Council 18 Vision, Mission, Value Proposition 19 Member Academies 20 Implementing the Council’s Strategic Plan 21 The Council of Canadian Academies: By the Numbers 26 Conclusion 27 Expert Volunteers Active in 2011/12 28 Annexes 43 Annex I – Council of Canadian Academies – Corporate Profile 44 Annex II – Board of Governors, Scientific Advisory Committee, and Staff of the Council of Canadian Academies 47 Annex III – Financial Statements for 2011/12 51 Annex IV – Statement of Investment Policy 57 1 COUNCIL OF CANADIAN ACADEMIES Message from the Chair A year ago, the Council released its strategic plan, Insight & Impact. The plan, intended to guide the Council through to 2014, sets out six strategic goals for the organization. This year’s annual report provides details of the Council’s activities over the past year in achieving those goals, and efforts to deliver high quality evidence-based assessments. I would like to highlight two areas of particular importance to the Board of Governors: relations with our three founding Member Academies and efforts to diversify the Council’s client base.
    [Show full text]
  • Clean Resources Final Public Report
    CLEAN RESOURCES FINAL PUBLIC REPORT 1. PROJECT INFORMATION: Design and Performance Evaluation of Road Base Courses Project Title: Comprised of Asphaltenes Derived from Alberta Oil-Sands Alberta Innovates Project Number: AI 2518 Submission Date: January 31, 2021 Total Project Cost: $340,000 Alberta Innovates Funding: $240,000 AI Project Advisor: Dr. Paolo Bomben 2. APPLICANT INFORMATION: Applicant (Organization): University of Alberta Address: University of Alberta, Research Services Office, #222, 8625 112 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1 Applicant Representative Name: Dr. Leila Hashemian Title: Assistant Professor Phone Number: (780) 492-8934 Email: [email protected] Alberta Innovates and Her Majesty the Queen in right of Alberta make no warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information contained in this publication, nor for any use thereof that infringes on privately owned rights. The views and opinions of the author expressed herein doe not reflect those of Alberta Innovates or Her Majesty the Queen in right of Alberta. The directors, officers, employees, agents and consultants of Alberta Innovates and The Government of Alberta are exempted, excluded and absolved from all liability for damage or injury, howsoever caused, to any person in connection with or arising out of the use by that person for any purpose of this publication or its contents. 3. PROJECT PARTNERS Please provide an acknowledgement statement for project partners, if appropriate. - The University of Alberta provided $100,000 in-kind contribution for using asphalt and binder lab facilities. - Lafarge Canada, Husky Energy, CNOOC energy, VCI, Imperial Oil and other suppliers are also gratefully acknowledged for their supply of materials for this research.
    [Show full text]
  • An International Laboratory Comparison of Dissolved Organic Matter Composition by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Are We Getting the Same Answer?
    Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications Chemistry & Biochemistry 2020 An International Laboratory Comparison of Dissolved Organic Matter Composition by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Are We Getting the Same Answer? Jeffrey A. Hawkes Juliana D'Andrilli Jeffrey N. Agar Mark P. Barrow Stephanie M. Berg See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/chemistry_fac_pubs Part of the Fresh Water Studies Commons, and the Marine Biology Commons Original Publication Citation Hawkes, J. A., D'Andrilli, J., Agar, J. N., Barrow, M. P., Berg, S. M., Catalan, N., . Podgorski, D. C. (2020). An international laboratory comparison of dissolved organic matter composition by high resolution mass spectrometry: Are we getting the same answer? Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 18(6), 235-258. doi:10.1002/lom3.10364 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Chemistry & Biochemistry at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Jeffrey A. Hawkes, Juliana D'Andrilli, Jeffrey N. Agar, Mark P. Barrow, Stephanie M. Berg, Núria Catalán, Hongmei Chen, Rosalie K. Chu, Richard B. Cole, Thorsten Dittmar, Rémy Gavard, Gerd Gleixner, Patrick G. Hatcher, Chen He, Nancy J. Hess, Ryan H.S. Hutchins, Amna Ijaz, Hugh E. Jones, William Kew, Maryam Khaksari, Diana Catalina Palacio Lozano, Jitao Lv, Lynn R. Mazzoleni, Beatriz E. Noriega-Ortega, Helena Osterholz, Nikola Radoman, Christina K. Remucal, Nicholas D. Schmitt, Simeon K. Schum, Quan Shi, Carsten Simon, Gabriel Singer, Rachel L.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines
    TRB Special Report 311: Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines Special Report 311 Report Special Transportation Research Board Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines Special Report 311 Bitumen is a dense and viscous form of petroleum that will flow through unheated pipe- lines only when diluted with lighter oils. The source of the bitumen processed in North American refineries is the oil andss region of Alberta, Canada. Legislation enacted in January 2012 called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to determine whether shipments of diluted bitumen increase the likelihood of releases from transmission pipelines as compared with shipments of other crude oils. This report examines whether shipments of diluted bitumen have chemical and physi- Effects of Diluted Bitumen on Crude Oil Transmission Pipelines Effects on Crude Oil Transmission of Diluted Bitumen cal properties that would make pipelines more susceptible to failure. Data on reported causes of pipeline failures are analyzed along with the potential for pipelines transport- ing diluted bitumen to experience more corrosion, cracking, and mechanical damage that can lead to releases. The committee that developed the report did not find any causes of pipeline failure unique to the transportation of diluted bitumen. Furthermore, it did not find evidence that diluted bitumen had properties that are outside the range of those of other crude oils or any other aspect of the transportation of diluted bitumen by pipeline that would make it more likely than other crude oils to cause releases. also of interest: Macondo Well–Deepwater Horizon Blowout: Lessons for Improving Offshore Drilling Safety National Academies Press, ISBN 978-0-309-22138-2, 196 pages, 6 x 9, paperback, 2011, $47.00 Policy Options for Reducing Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021/22 Graduate Student Scholarships
    PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND HANDBOOK: 2021/22 GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS THE INFORMATION BELOW OUTLINES THE 2021/22 GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED AND ADJUDICATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY, AND UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING UNIVERSITY-SPECIFIC APPLICATION PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES. UNIVERSITY CONTACT INFORMATION IS LOCATED ON PAGE 11 OF THIS DOCUMENT. GENERAL CONDITIONS This document describes the terms and conditions for recipients of an Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship. The Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships are open to Canadian, Permanent Resident and International Students. Students in the following categories may apply, provided that they are pursuing graduate studies at an Alberta university in one of the research areas outlined below and meet eligibility requirements: • Canadian candidates, whether or not they hold a major (i.e. NSERC) award; • International candidates All applications should be made to the appropriate university. ALBERTA INNOVATES 1 PROGRAM GUIDE: GSS May 2021 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Each year, Alberta Advanced Education, in partnership with Alberta Innovates invests in the support of academically superior graduate students undertaking full-time research education at an Alberta university, leading to a research-based master’s or doctoral degree. The Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships program (GSS) is designed to enable these promising students to succeed in Emerging Technology Areas of scientific research which are strategically important to Alberta. These areas are: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMM) in and of themselves or which additionally support the innovation priority areas of Environment, Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Health.
    [Show full text]