Innovative Projects Realized

Electrifying Fleets: Evaluating the Impact of EV Integration on Organizational Efficiency

The project aims to analyze the financial feasibility, operational impact, and environmental benefits of transitioning to an electric fleet for AMA’s fleet. The intern will evaluate the financial implications of electrification, assess the effect on daily operations such as service efficiency and route planning, and research the availability of electric tow trucks. Additionally, they will quantify the potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions and identify the infrastructure requirements needed to support the transition, including assessing charging networks and coverage gaps.

Development of supply chain for wood pellet heating applications in the Canadian Northwest Territories

This project will explore how wood pellets can be used more widely as an affordable, sustainable heating option in the Northwest Territories (NWT). While some areas already use wood pellets, there’s potential to expand this environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels like oil and diesel. The research will involve gathering information, working with local communities, and mapping the supply chain to identify challenges and opportunities. A simple cost comparison will show the financial and environmental benefits of switching to wood pellets, while a color-coded map will highlight areas best suited for this transition. Special focus will be given to including Indigenous communities to ensure the project respects their needs, values, and goals. By helping to create a plan for broader use of wood pellet heating, this project will support NWT communities in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, lowering costs, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Adaptation d’une modélisation statistique de l’érosion de cavitation à un autre type de turbine hydraulique et intégration d’un modèle physique

L’une des stratégies mise en oeuvre par Hydro-Québec pour accompagner la demande croissante d’électricité, consiste à caractériser les phénomènes contribuant à la dégradation des turbines hydrauliques. Dans cette optique, le phénomène de cavitation est étudié, car il est à l’origine de l’érosion et donc de l’endommagement des turbines. Ce phénomène correspond au passage de l’eau de l’état liquide à l’état gazeux sous l’effet d’une baisse de pression, engendrée par la rotation des aubes de la turbine. L’objectif de ce projet est d’étudier les performances et retravailler le modèle statistique de prédiction de cavitation, déjà en place et basé sur les variables opératoires, pour tenir compte du type de turbine différent. Ensuite, il est question de comparer et intégrer un modèle physique au modèle statistique afin d’améliorer les prédictions, et ainsi optimiser la maintenance, réduire les arrêts des turbines et minimiser les pertes en production d’électricité et revenu

Building Strategic Office Operation Skills for an Emerging Business Professional

Coco Fresh Tea and Juice is a popular Taiwanese beverage franchise known for its wide variety of bubble teas and fruit juices. The company has experienced rapid expansion globally, establishing a significant presence in various markets. It has also built a loyal customer base by focusing on high-quality, flavorful drinks and a customer-satisfaction experience. While the business has achieved success, it also faces several challenges and opportunities common to the beverage industry. These challenges include rising operational costs and changing consumer preferences. The project could help the company address these issues and capitalize on opportunities by enhancing cost efficiency and optimizing training and development.

Innovative Marketing for the Clean Energy Improvement Program

Administered by Alberta Municipalities, the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is an innovative financing mechanism that helps property owners in Alberta make energy-efficient upgrades or renewable energy installations with minimal upfront costs. It is Alberta’s version of a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, designed to address barriers to financing energy retrofits while promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Municipalities opt into the program by passing a bylaw and collaborating with Alberta Municipalities, the administrator of CEIP. Once a municipality joins, property owners within its jurisdiction can apply to participate.

Alberta Municipalities face a mix of challenges and opportunities when it comes to marketing the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) in part because the program is locally enabled. This project will help address some of the challenges including:

-lack of a formal local government marketing plan for selected CEIP communities
-lack of awareness of the benefits of CEIP or how to participate
-misconceptions about program complexity or cost savings

This program will help local governments communicate the opportunities CEIP provides including:
-local economic development in retrofitting and clean energy sectors
-reduced energy costs for residential and commercial property owners
-alignment with local sustainability and climate plans
-collaboration potential with local businesses

The student internships will help in the following areas:

Community engagement and outreach – developing and executing public awareness campaigns to educate property owners about CEIP; delivering workshops, webinars or tiny explanation videos to simplify the application process for property owners.

Data collection and analysis – pilot different techniques for reaching audiences and document which techniques generate the most number of expressions of interest

Capacity building: develop resources, guides or frameworks that municipalities can use beyond the internship term

Stratégie de contrôle optimale de la production électrique dans un site isolé

Le but du projet est d’optimiser la production d’électricité en site isolé par l’étude de la stratégie de contrôle. Cette stratégie correspond à tout ce qui régit le choix des modes de production en tout temps. Elle repose sur des valeurs « seuils » guidant les choix des modes de production. L’objectif d’une stratégie de contrôle est de produire de façon optimale. Dans le cas de ce projet, il s’agit de réduire la consommation de diesel ainsi que le nombre d’arrêts et de démarrages des génératrices.
Premièrement, le cas des génératrices seules sera abordé. Ensuite une production hybride diesel-éolien sera étudiée. Finalement, une modulation de la stratégie en fonction des saisons sera étudiée. La possibilité d’étudier l’effet du stockage jumelé au système hybride diesel-éolien pourrait également être abordée, si l’avancement du projet le permet. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, le logiciel de simulation OPERA et l’optimiseur NOMAD seront employés en se basant sur des données de consommation de sites isolés fournies par Hydro-Québec et des données de vent.

Carbon Tracking Project integrating CarbonHound technology.

Rabbit Hill Snow Resort is starting its journey to understand and reduce its carbon footprint by joining Green Economy Canada’s Edmonton chapter and using their CarbonHound platform. The project will bring in a NorQuest College intern with expertise in environmental monitoring to help track emissions, set a baseline, and create a plan for ongoing sustainability efforts. This will allow Rabbit Hill to make informed decisions, meet evolving environmental expectations, and show leadership in sustainability, benefiting both the resort and its community.

Strengthening Sustainability Strategy: Industry Research and Innovation Insights

Green Sky Sustainability Consulting Inc. is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with NorQuest College to support the next generation of professionals in business administration and energy management. Our co-op positions are designed to provide a student with invaluable real-world experience while contributing to meaningful sustainability and energy projects.

Jani-King in the Maritimes

Jani-King is an international franchise system that has been operating in the Maritimes for more than 30 years. Over this period, marketing our product and services has been more complex with the addition of nontraditional marketing activities such as digital marketing. This project is designed to consider whether working with a skilled and qualified digital marketing person, can further develop our marketing strategies and influence business growth.

Brandi’s Salsa

Brandi’s Salsa is a small, locally owned business in Medicine Hat, AB that would like to create an online store to enhance her current business and allow her to expand into a broader market. Brandi Matthews, owner of Brandi’s Salsa has been in business for the past 4.5 years and currently supplies a variety of retail stores and attends in person markets throughout the province to sell her fresh, homemade products. All of Brandi’s products are sourced from locally owned/operated producers of fresh vegetables and are guaranteed fresh. To assist Brandi’s Salsa in becoming more of a household name, and in partnership with local community, she would like to hire a co-op student from Medicine Hat College’s Bachelor of Applied Arts – Art & Design program to build her online store, including a POS system that would allow people from across the provinces and into the USA the opportunity to purchase her products. Time permitting, we would also like to explore options of more social media presence and additional exposure to help expedite sales, with a possible extension to the timeline to include rebranding and/or updates to current brand to create a fresh new look.

Microbiome product manufacturing

Emma Allen-Vercoe has established a world leading capability to grow microbes in a controlled environment. The intent of our newly established Biotech company – NuBiyota – will be to translate this exciting capability into a therapeutic product. The project we are proposing will leverage Kathleen’s expertise and experience in professor Allen-Vercoe’s lab, combined with the company’s GMP expertise to create a clinical/commercial grade Microbiome therapeutic product. The initial effort will enable NuBiyota to begin a multi-center randomized control clinical trial to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of our Microbiome therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile infections.

Strategic Marketing & Communications for Life Sciences Incubation

1. Our primary mandate at API is to advance research and innovation to commercialization by providing access to world-class industry expertise, services, and infrastructure. We focus on engaging and supporting life sciences product discovery and development initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and driving innovation and commercialization through collaborative research, services, and programs that steward commercial success and workforce readiness. API’s incubation programs, for example, are designed to support early-stage life sciences companies with resources and guidance to accelerate their growth.
2. The project will address gaps in the effectiveness and visibility of API’s incubation programs. The primary challenge lies in enhancing program engagement and recruitment, optimizing outreach strategies to attract talent and partners, and positioning the program for long-term success. This will involve research into market needs, identifying the most effective communication and engagement strategies, and developing a comprehensive marketing plan that aligns with the needs of life sciences companies. Through a data-driven approach, the project will refine API’s outreach efforts, ultimately leading to greater program effectiveness and broader ecosystem impact.
3. The anticipated social and economic benefits are significant. By improving engagement and recruitment for API’s incubation programs, the project will directly contribute to the growth of Alberta’s life sciences sector, supporting companies and fostering innovation in areas such as health technology, pharma, and medical devices. The optimized marketing strategy will position API as a key player in the ecosystem, supporting the commercialization of life-saving innovations and driving economic growth through job creation and investment. On the social front, the project will lead to better health outcomes by allowing the program to foster the development of new therapeutic solutions and technologies that address pressing healthcare challenges.