This June econext, in partnership with Memorial University’s Research Innovation Office (RIO), held an event that explored opportunities to connect industry needs with research expertise.
“One of econext‘s primary objectives is to stimulate clean growth innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “One of the ways that we do this is by working with our members to understand their challenges and opportunities, and then engaging with local research institutions to see if we can find a match.”
The event featured a number of econext members presenting on their challenge or opportunity to an audience of pre-identified researchers at Memorial University. Researchers then presented on their areas of expertise and interest. “The next step is for us to do what we can to match-make and encourage collaborative research projects between industry and academia.”
Last week’s event had a thematic focus on ‘batteries’ – for storage, EV charging and even recycling. “Electrification and energy storage are concepts that are both key to our province’s net zero objectives and clean energy growth,” said Hanley. “This is an area where econext will be very active in acting as a catalyst for innovation in the province.”
“The team at RIO works to bring industry partners and Memorial researchers together to help solve real challenges in today’s world,” said Dr. Paula Mendonça, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Memorial University. “Through our ongoing partnership with econext, we are able to enhance awareness about the world-class expertise and facilities available at Memorial. We look forward to future conversations and support clean energy solutions in the region.”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
RIO helps identify resources and facilitate connections to move ideas towards opportunities via industry connection, funding, IP support and programming. More information can be found at mun.ca/RIO.
econext COO Abbie Hodder with His Excellency Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
For Immediate Release June 28, 2023
Atlantic Canada and the Caribbean have a significant history of interregional trade and partnership in sectors spanning cable and telecommunications, banking and finance, energy, and education.
In May, as part of its twelfth trade mission to the Caribbean region since 2015, econextformalized a partnership for the mutual benefit of the two regions.
“We are excited to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as part of our trade mission,” said Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO and Director of International Business. “There is ample potential for collaboration between the four provinces of Atlantic Canada and the 11 OECS countries, and we look forward to putting this MOU into action.”
Atlantic Canada and the OECS have common regional strategic objectives. Beyond the promotion of trade and partnerships, the regions can exchange valuable information and experiences in areas of common interest including the support of local economies to becomes globally competitive, resilient, inclusive, and increasingly green.
The May 2023 trade mission consisted of eleven delegate organizations from Atlantic Canada engaging in over 150 meetings across four countries in the Caribbean region – Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. econext’s missions are multi-sector, but there is a strategic focus on green economy, blue economy, infrastructure, and education and training.
Firms in Atlantic Canada have many synergies with their counterparts in Caribbean markets. Hodder stated, “The products and services developed in Atlantic Canada can work well in other island and rural coastal environments, such as those found in the Caribbean.”
Hodder notes the region faces similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and economies that are resource dependent. “We have a long history of trade with the Caribbean, and our commitment is to sustain and enhance this bond through meaningful reciprocal engagement.”
econext’s next Caribbean Trade Mission is set for November 2023. For information on how you can participate, please contact Abbie Hodder at abbie@econext.ca.
About OECS
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an international organisation dedicated to economic harmonisation and integration, protection of human and legal rights, and the encouragement of good governance among independent and non-independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
About econext econext is a not-for-profit association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, working on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. A priority for econext is helping its members engage internationally; the association has helped develop relationships between Atlantic Canada and Caribbean markets since 2014 .
On June 21, 2023 the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology announced the launch of the Green Transition Fund. Program information and guidelines can be found here.
Text from econext CEO Kieran Hanley’s remarks at the launch event:
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to speak to this wonderful announcement.
econext is an organization that works day in and day out to drive and support clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
That means helping our key industries become more competitive in a world that is increasingly concerned about greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.
That means doing what we can to support new industries that help not just Newfoundland and Labrador, but the world fight climate change.
And that means working with communities to understand their role in all of this, and to maximize adjacent economic development opportunities.
In this work, econext finds itself in the middle between industry, governments, communities, and research institutions sharing ideas, experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
And through this work, we can see now that this province is on the verge of big things. Why? Simply put, we have what the world needs.
From our green electricity grid, to our world class undeveloped renewable energy resources, to our emerging clean fuels and energy storage hubs, to our rich cache of critical minerals… Newfoundland and Labrador has a clean energy advantage that positions us extraordinarily well internationally.
Let’s be clear. We have the resources here to fuel the world’s energy transition.
Newfoundland and Labrador has the ability to make a globally significant contribution in the fight against climate change. It is time to be bold and to seize these opportunities.
To succeed, we need more investment into research, development, and innovative green economic activity.
The Green Transition Fund announced today is a big step forward in that regard and will help ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador reaches its economic growth potential while advancing its pursuit of net zero.
Congratulations to Minister Parsons and to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on this announcement.
To econext members: this is a funding program that you have been asking for for a long long time. It’s going to be competitive. Get busy developing your project ideas. Make them innovative, and make them collaborative.
Let’s get to work.
From L to R: Kieran Hanley – CEO, econext; Dr. Michael Long – Dean of Applied Research and Innovation, CNA; Charlene Johnson – CEO, Energy NL; Hon. Andrew Parsons; Bruce Billard – Manager, Green Transition, IET; Kirk Youden – Director, Sector Diversification, IET.
With the acquisition of the Zen Ecosystems assets, Mysa Smart Thermostats expanded its business and commercial focused offering. In order to further develop this business line, econext is helping Mysa find local businesses to partner with and deliver significant energy savings.
The Opportunity
Receive Zen Smart Thermostats + Zen HQ Energy management platform at a 50% discount. More info about Zen HQ can be found on the Zen HQ website or this video.
Receive support from the Mysa team on installation, setup, and management to deliver energy savings for your business. Existing Zen HQ customers are seeing over 20% savings on their energy bills.
Eligibility Criteria
Business must be located within the St. John’s Metropolitan area
Business must have more than 10 low voltage (24v) thermostats across their operations, in one location or multiple locations combined
Zen smart thermostats are compatible with most 24V HVAC systems but you can verify compatibility by reaching out to hq-support@getmysa.com
Business must have Wifi available so the thermostats can get connected to the internet and to the Zen HQ platform
econext is looking for businesses and organizations to host clean energy work terms students during the Fall 2023 semester.
“We have identified a series of challenges and opportunities for students to work on that we believe are important for Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy future,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “By hosting a student who works in one of these areas, you will be helping to contribute to our province’s collective understanding of its emerging clean energy industry.”
Hanley said that students will be encouraged to view challenges and opportunities through an entrepreneurial lens. “We know these things are technically feasible – what we want to better understand is if there are reasonable business cases to be made for them, and the work term students will be armed with supplemental training to allow them to start that assessment.” During their work term students will benefit from training delivered by the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship (MCE).
Projects can focus on the technical or economic/business aspects of clean energy opportunities (not necessarily one of those listed), and thus work term students can come from engineering, business, and other faculties. “Our objective with this initiative is to get both the workforce and companies thinking about clean energy in Newfoundland and Labrador in an innovative way.”
Hanley said that there are various programs currently available which can help subsidize the cost of hiring a work term student. “Reach out to us and we can let you know which programs you are eligible for.”
If your business is interested in hosting a clean energy-focused work term in Fall 2023, contact Alex Rumbolt – econext’s Special Projects Coordinator, Marketing and Green Jobs – at alex@econext.ca.
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
Clean Energy Challenges / Opportunities
Clean Energy Transportation Alternatives
Transportation accounts for approximately 34% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s GHGs. The transport of goods, services, and people via cars, busses, transport trucks, ferries, aviation, etc. has a significant environmental impact. A technical, environmental, and economic analysis could be undertaken to explore GHG reduction opportunities for NL through the adoption of zero emissions technologies for its heavy transport, bussing, and/or marine sectors. A plan for adoption that aligns with NL’s net zero by 2050 commitments could be developed.
Underground Hydrogen Storage
Large quantities of hydrogen can be stored in caverns for many years. The storage of large quantities of hydrogen underground in solution-mined caverns within salt domes, aquifers, excavated rock caverns, or mines can function as energy storage. When surplus electricity is available (from the grid or from hydrogen production operations) hydrogen can be produced and stored. This provides reserve product that can be utilized when intermittent electricity access reduces production at other times. It also provides access to energy that can be utilized to meet electricity needs during times when demand may exceed supply. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role of underground storage opportunities for NL.
Underground Compressed Air Storage
Large quantities of compressed gas can be stored in caverns for many years. Compressed air storage can function as energy storage – and a method by which the supply and demand of energy can be balanced in a number of important ways. When surplus electricity is available (from the grid or from clean fuels production operations) air can be compressed and stored. When electricity is required, the compressed air can be released through turbine generators to create energy. Underground compressed air storage can help balance the supply and demand of electricity. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role of underground storage opportunities for NL. Conduct a technical and economic analysis to better understand potential role of pumped storage opportunities for NL.
Domestic Decarbonization via Clean Fuels
Clean fuels are playing an important role in decarbonization internationally. With domestic production of clean fuels within the province it is logical to explore how they can contribute to the decarbonization of the NL economy. The use of locally produced clean fuels can help contribute to the long-term resilience and success of the industry and present R&D opportunities. A plan for decarbonization via clean fuels (e.g., hydrogen, clean diesel, SAF, etc) for NL could be developed.
Energy Pathways Modeling
Hydrogen production processes require access to renewable energy sources. While NL’s electricity grid is predominantly ‘clean’, there is limited capacity available to supply industrial projects. Yet there are abundant renewable energy resources that can be developed or optimized to increase the grid’s capability to support clean fuels projects. Moreover, there are a number of energy storage and energy efficiency options that exist which can accomplish the same. Not all options would be implemented simultaneously, but a combination of some of them could help balance supply and demand for electricity in NL and maximize its clean energy output. Modeling is required to understand what the best combination of activities would be to most efficiently maximize growth opportunities.
Direct Air Capture
Direct air capture (DAC) technologies extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere (i.e. large turbines). The CO2 can be permanently stored in deep geological formations in saline aquifers or can be utilized in processes such as food processing or synthetic fuel generation. The prospect of new wind energy developments in NL may present interesting DAC opportunities. When winds are high and electricity is in low demand, DAC systems could be powered by this excess clean electricity. DAC is most effectively used in areas that are windy (increasing the natural airflow through the fans), which makes their use in NL attractive. Such a process could create much-needed carbon offset opportunities for NL and its industries. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role DAC opportunities for NL.
Carbon Offsets
To achieve net zero, NL will require negative GHG emissions activities to balance GHGs which are unfeasible to eliminate completely. Work is required to identify which carbon offset opportunities are best for the province (e.g., have the greatest GHG reduction potential at the lowest cost). The following are some options:
Forest Management
Forests sequester carbon in biomass through photosynthesis and are a natural carbon sink. Proactive steps can be taken that maintain or increase the effectiveness with which forests capture carbon. With a significant amount of forested lands, NL may present significant opportunities for such activity. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role forest management opportunities for NL.
Peatland Restoration
Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Restoring peatlands can increase carbon storage. The number of harvested peatlands in the province that can be restored is currently unknown. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role peatland restoration may have for NL.
Seaweed
Seaweed sucks in carbon from the air as it grows. With its vast array of coastlines, NL may present significant opportunities for such activity. Moreover, there may be a number of potential uses for the biomass produced. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role seaweed farming may have for NL.
Eeelgrass
One opportunity to achieve this is through the restoration or growth of eelgrass. Eelgrass sucks in carbon from the air as it grows. With its vast array of coastlines, NL may present significant opportunities for such activity. Moreover, there may be a number of potential uses for the biomass produced. Conduct a technical, environmental, and economic analysis to better understand potential role eelgrass may have for NL.
econext is seeking feedback from its members and our wider network to guide its delivery of training and professional development programming. Your participation in this survey will be a great help – it should only take you a couple of minutes to complete.
The deadline for participating is Friday June 2nd, 2023 @ 4:30 PM. For more information on this survey, please contact Colin Heffernan, Manager of Industry and Community Engagement, by e-mail at heffernan@econext.ca.
econext has released a discussion paper which explores the economic development opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador that are associated with the emerging clean fuels industry.
“We believe that clean fuels production presents an enormous opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador, its economy, and its communities,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO – referring to the wind energy to hydrogen projects being proposed within the province.
Hanley said it is important to view the potential benefits of the emerging industry beyond just those that come with construction and operations and the export of a commodity. “Newfoundland and Labrador has the potential to be among the first in the world to produce clean fuels at this scale, and with that comes a series of time-sensitive opportunities to position ourselves as leaders in innovation and training and attract more green industry.”
“The purpose of this discussion paper is twofold,” said Hanley. “First, we want to create a greater awareness of the opportunities that are before the province, and second we want to get decison-makers and stakeholders thinking about how we go about pursuing those opportunities.” Hanley said that the discussion paper is intended to be the start of the conversation, and is not a definitive or conclusive report. “We welcome any and all feedback that can help us better understand these opportunities.”
“I would like to thank all of the econext members who provided their time and many of the ideas that are represented in the paper,” said Hanley. “econext looks forward to doing its best to advance many of the opportunities identified on your behalf.”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
econext held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) during the week of April 3-7, 2023. The AGM featured the election of its Board of Directors.
Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include:
Laurie Coady (North Atlantic)
Kris Costello (OilCo)
Don Drew (Newco Metals & Auto Recycling – Treasurer)
Heather Murphy (SEM)
David Pinsent (World Energy GH2)
These Directors join:
Chad Butler (Growler Energy)
Nola Sharpe (Mysa)
Brian Taite (HMDC)
Alex Templeton (McInnes Cooper)
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
econext is celebrating the achievements of its members in balancing economy and environment today at its Industry Awards ceremony.
“Actions in the fight against climate change continue to accelerate and intensify globally,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “Our members are doing some world class things here in Newfoundland and Labrador that deserve to be recognized and be part of that story.”
Hon. Bernard Davis, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, addressing econext’s members.
The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was on hand today to announce the winners of econext‘s industry awards:
Cleantech Innovation Award – C-CORE
Business Excellence Award – PARDY’S Waste Management and Industrial Services
International Business Award – Port of Argentia
Information on the awards and all of the winners is found in the backgrounder below.
“Congratulations to our deserving award winners, each of whom is helping to drive clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
econext’s Cleantech Innovation Award recognizes innovation at any stage of development in business and academia – from research and development, to commercialization, to refinement – of products, services, or processes that can mitigate effects to, protect, or enhance the environment. The award is judged according to the uniqueness of the innovation, the potential for positive environmental impact, and the potential for commercial application.
The winner of this year’s Cleantech Innovation Award is C-CORE.
Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change presenting the Cleantech Innovation Award to C-CORE, represented by President and CEO Paul Griffin
C-CORE is an internationally recognized institution in earth observation, remote sensing, and oceans and energy innovation. C-CORE has been a key driver of and contributor to Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovation ecosystem, and that work continued this past year.
C-CORE has developed what it calls a Rapid High-capacity Test Apparatus, or RHITA, a technology that is becoming an important component of C-CORE’s research and development work. RHITA is helping to understand and mitigate the negative effects of icebergs impacting subsea ocean based assets. The saying “tip of the iceberg”, afterall, comes from the fact that we really only can see the tip of an iceberg and the much larger portion is under the water. What is subsurface is unknown, and presents risks for important infrastructure, present or future. This includes offshore platforms, pipes or pipelines, flexible flow lines, moorings, or cables on the seabed.
When icebergs make contact with such infrastructure, it can push or drag important components along the ocean floor. This is harmful not only to the function of the assets and the operations that they support, but also to the environment around it as well. To measure the effect of this interaction on the pipe or cable, C-CORE is utilizing RHITA. RHITA uses a cylindrical steel indenter representing a pipe, flexible flow line, or cable and pushes it into a large ice sample.
What happens next provides important evidence from which risk mitigation decisions can be made. C-CORE is able to provide guidance on how such interactions can be avoided, how assets can be designed or reinforced to better withstand such interactions, or even lower the risk factors associated with occurrences if the outcomes are not as damaging as expected.
Part of C-CORE’s larger Subsea Ice Interaction Barriers to Energy Development (SIIBED) project, this work is representative of the world-leading cluster of excellence that is present in Newfoundland and Labrador related to the environmental sensing, characterization, and monitoring of the environment. econext is pleased to award this year’s Cleantech Innovation Award to C-CORE.
Business Excellence Award
econext‘s Business Excellence Award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of a business engaged in Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. This could include the completion of specific projects, business growth milestones, or a contribution to the community from a sustainability or corporate social responsibility perspective. The award is judged according to the initiative or achievement’s impact as it relates to economic growth and development, positive environmental effects, and public awareness of green economy and environmental challenges or opportunities.
The winner of this year’s Business Excellence Award is PARDY’S Waste Management and Industrial Services.
Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change presenting the Business Excellence Award to PARDY’S Waste Management and Industrial Services, represented by General Manager Steve Moores
PARDY’S have been leaders in growing the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador for decades. Its services are broad and include industrial cleaning, vacuum services, liquid waste transport, waste oil recycling, industrial water treatment, waste disposal brokerage, and bulk liquid organic organic waste treatment and industrial composting. The company is active not just in this province, but throughout Atlantic Canada and into other parts of the country as well.
PARDY’S has completed a number of recent projects which have helped open it up to new lines of business and new customers. In Pickering Ontario the company piloted the application of technology to address non-treatable water that was being shipping out of country for disposal. The pilot proved successful and demonstrated potential cost savings to the customer of $16 million per year. In Saint John New Brunswick PARDY’S worked under emergency conditions requiring rapid response in winter climate conditions to treat 63 million litres of ammonia and MEA impacted water for a customer. Right here in Newfoundland and Labrador PARDY’S facilitated the safe collection of 13 million litres of wastewater from the offshore, marking the first time in history that this waste was received and treated within the province. Moreover, a pilot project was recently completed which validated conventional phase separation technologies as an effective primary treatment method for spent drilling mud.
These projects, all executed successfully, have opened new doors for PARDY’S to provide services that up until this point had not been available. In the process, PARDY’S has made great strides to enhance its technological capabilities this past year. The company is capturing more work in the aquaculture and mining industries, has made recent acquisitions to expand its presence in Atlantic Canada – while simultaneously working towards advancing Newfoundland and Labrador’s composting industry.
PARDY’S mission is to be a premium Newfoundland and Labrador waste management corporation that delivers responsible, efficient, and sustainable waste management solutions to customers throughout Canada. It has been doing so for 30 years and continues to strive to do more. Congratulations to PARDY’S Waste Management and Industrial Services on being recognized with the Business Excellence Award.
International Business Award
econext’s International Business Award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of a Newfoundland and Labrador organization engaged in international business activities relating to cleantech or environmental services. Initiatives or achievements could include export success, diversification into new sectors or markets, collaborative research and development, or the establishment of international partners. The award is judged according to the relative impact of the internationalization activity for the individual business and/or the industry at-large.
The winner of this year’s International Business Award is Port of Argentia.
Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change presenting the International Business Award to Port of Argentia, represented by Chair Wayne Power
It has been a landmark year for Port of Argentia. Guided by global trends in the energy transition, Port of Argentia embarked on an aggressive marketing and promotional campaign to attract renewable energy companies.
Highlighting key strategic advantages of its location and promoting Argentia as a viable location for onshore wind energy development and support to Northeastern US offshore wind energy, the Port strategically placed advertisements in regional, national, and international industry publications, attended key global sector tradeshows and conferences, and reached out to new international business prospects in the renewable energy space.
The Port’s efforts yielded results, delivering two significant contracts to become North America’s first monopile marshalling yard in support of emerging US offshore wind energy. In preparation for the arrival of monopiles, the port will see a total of $10 million in infrastructure improvements, including road widening, dock facility enhancements, and creation of more than 12 acres of laydown lands adjacent to docking facilities. These site improvements will position the port well for additional future investment attraction and generate significant economic spinoff benefits for the region, province, and country.
Port of Argentia also successfully attracted a partner for the development of Argentia Renewables, a proposed multi-phase wind energy-to-green fuels production facility to be constructed on Port lands. The Port’s team worked closely with Pattern Energy, a global leader in renewable energy development and operations, to create a mutually beneficial partnership to support the development and construction of the project over the next several years. The project is slated to begin on Port lands with a 300-Megawatt wind energy facility powering a green ammonia project (including hydrogen electrolyzers) for the purpose of export to global markets. Future possible phases include expansion of additional wind capacity on neighbouring Crown Lands, and expansion of hydrogen production facilities on Port lands.
Through its targeted international business efforts, Port of Argentia has transformed and positioned itself as a leading national hub for clean energy activity that all in Newfoundland and Labrador should be proud of. Congratulations to Port of Argentia on being recognized with econext’s international business award.
From March 30 – April 7, 2023 econext will hold its Annual General Meeting. The event is hybrid as to allow for maximum participation from members across the province.
In-Person Event
This event will feature:
Remarks from the Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
The presentation of the econext Industry Awards
The 2022-23 Annual Report
The Year Ahead: 2023-24 Preview
Membership Questions & Answers
Date: March 30, 2023 Time: 8:30am – 10:30am Location: Comfort Hotel and Conference Centre, 106 Airport Road, St. John’s, NL
An event agenda can be downloaded below. This is a member-only event. Representatives from each econext member will be provided with registration information directly via email. If you do not receive your registration package, please contact econext CEO Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca.
Members will be provided a personalized access code (distributed on April 3) which will be used for the casting of votes through to 17h00 NST on April 7, 2023. An online forum will be provided for members to ask questions and receive answers.
