Combining energies

On May 23, Dalhousie hosted some of the energy industryÕs movers and shakers as the university announced a new partnership with EnergyINet, a national energy innovation network.

Dalhousie President Tom Traves signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr. Michael Raymont, CEO of EnergyINet, at a reception held at DalhousieÕs University Club. The new partnership establishes EnergyINetÕs Atlantic Canada Development Office, the organizationÕs first office outside of Western Canada. It will be directed by Andrew Henry, Managing Director of Energy Research at Dalhousie. 

The agreement links EnergyINet with Energy at Dalhousie, an initiative launched in 2003 to tackle energy research challenges. Today, Energy at Dalhousie comprises four Energy Research Networks that conduct interdisciplinary research into conventional and renewable energy sources Ð from electrical power generation, to oil and gas exploration, to innovative ways to harness the energy from renewable resources. 

ÒEnergy at Dalhousie is a very young and evolving initiative that shares common goals and similarities with EnergyINet,” said Henry. ÒBoth see the value in bringing together researchers to share resources in the pursuit of solutions to the big energy challenges that we face today.”

Among the invited guests to the reception were Alison Scott, Nova Scotia Department of Energy, and James Taylor, Nova Scotia Power Inc., representing two of EnergyINetÕs founding members.

EnergyINet was formed as a non-profit corporation in October 2005, although its gestation stretches back almost three years earlier.  Its goal is to help make Canada a global energy superpower by facilitating research, development and policy that ensures an abundant supply of environmentally responsible energy. 

Both DalhousieÕs Dr. Traves and EnergyINetÕs Dr. Raymont spoke promisingly about the new arrangement.  Dr. Raymont stressed the importance of both integration and innovation in managing Atlantic CanadaÕs energy resources. ÒThe strategic relationship between EnergyINet and Dalhousie is an important partnership that helps us find new ways to integrate a variety of important energy sources and regional expertise into our growing national network,” he said.

Dr. Traves echoed these comments, and emphasized the important national role the relationship with EnergyINet provides Dalhousie: ÒThis new partnership is an exciting opportunity to participate in a national initiative and work with partners across Canada to advance an integrated energy economy.”