National Research Council of Canada, UBC launch clean energy collaboration centre

The University of British Columbia and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have launched a Collaboration Centre for Clean Energy Transition, the Government of Canada announced today. 

The new centre aims to accelerate the development and integration of affordable clean alternatives to fossil fuels by giving researchers from the NRC and UBC's faculties of applied science and science shared access to specialized resources, as well as the opportunity to work side by side on collaborative projects of mutual interest.

"We are excited to be enhancing our collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada through the creation of this centre," said Dr. Gail Murphy, vice-president of research and innovation at UBC. "It brings together research strengths at both institutions to tackle key global challenges and support a transition to clean energy alternatives."

Together, researchers will focus on innovations in hydrogen and carbon technologies across the value chain of clean energy development, including materials, systems, technologies and industrial applications. 

“We are excited to further strengthen our collaboration with the University of British Columbia through this agreement and we look forward to working together to make breakthroughs to decarbonize our economy and build Canada’s green industrial advantage,” said Mitch Davies, president of the National Research Council of Canada. “The National Research Council of Canada is committing its capabilities alongside our partners to focus on advancing the transition to clean energy, which will have a significant impact on our economy and society.”

UBC has been consistently recognized as one of the world’s top universities on climate action and has an established track record on innovative partnership models to further mobilize new products and services to benefit cities, communities and industry.

By strengthening partnerships with universities, the NRC's collaboration centres aim to generate discoveries and advances that result in publications, patents, and the commercialization of technology, as well as provide support for talent through the supervision of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The NRC-UBC collaboration centre will complement the objectives and activities of the NRC-University of Toronto Collaboration Centre for Green Energy Materials.

“Our government is committed to fostering collaborative opportunities like this one through the National Research Council of Canada and the University of British Columbia because some of the best ideas come when innovative minds work together,” said the Honourable François-Phillippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “This partnership is an important step in strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in clean technology and moving us closer to a more resilient and healthier future for all Canadians.”

To see more applied science research underway at UBC, please visit Industry at UBC Science and Research at UBC Applied Science.