Red Deer College has been awarded a pair of national grants.
RDC has received grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which will provide multi-year funding for the college to expand its research and innovation.
“Our college competed against institutions from across the country for the two grants, and what really impressed the selection committees was the facilities that we have at RDC and the support from our community and industry partners,” says president Peter Nunoda.
There is important, creative and collaborative work taking place here, and it has a positive impact on our institution and region.”
The innovation enhancement grant provides $400,000 in funding annually for five years.
It will launch research potential for RDC’s alternative energy systems. Over the past two years, the college has installed 4,200 solar modules on three campus buildings. It is the largest post-secondary installation in Canada.
Essential to that project was the Alternative Energy Lab, and with the innovation grant, it will be able to expand the human capacity for future projects, while adding support technology in the process.
“It’s pretty amazing to see how RDC has become a living laboratory for research in alternative energy systems and data management, while providing the basis for advanced study of energy system integration,” says Joel Gingrich, dean of RDC’s school of trades and technologies.
RDC was also awarded the technology access centre grant. It will receive $350,000 in funding each year for the next five years, and the money will allow the college to work with industry and innovators at a larger level.
“We will be able to offer the region access to increased applied research capacity, increased industrial services, higher profile for entrepreneurial clients, and access to a national network for collaboration,” said Gingrich.