As per sources, around USD 1.4 million will be used to establish the Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED), that will develop and promote tidal, wind and wave technologies. In addition, it is expected to encourage people staying in coastal areas to adopt renewable energy sources, especially since coastal communities are still dependent on diesel-powered generators for electricity.
UVic’s USD 1 million funding obtained from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, along with Seaspan Shipyards, will be provided to the University’s green transportation research team. Speaking about the investment in green transportation, the University has released a statement claiming that the funding is likely to benefit the heavy-duty mining, marine, and transportation sectors to achieve sustainable goals of climate change mitigation and greenhouse gas reduction.
The lead of PRIMED, Brad Buckham, has been quoted stating that huge investment in the development of energy research models are likely to save money for companies installing ocean propulsion and wind energy technologies in order to provide electricity to remote coastal communities.
Experts familiar with the matter claim that the significant involvement of researchers, governments, community groups, and industry players may combinedly help tackle the challenges related to climate change, which may eventually boost clean energy growth and promote carbon free economic development in Canada.