International Collaboration

International Collaboration in Renewable Energy Technologies

CanmetENERGY supports Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) international mandate by providing technical support with respect to renewable energy related activities. These activities are meant to position the Canadian industry as an international leader in developing new and innovative technology solutions to address climate change challenges for Canada. As a result of our international work and collaboration, we have unique access to innovative technologies, products and services that could be adapted to address Canada’s climate change priorities.
We not only share and contribute to the knowledge base of technological solutions to climate change, through development and improvement of clean generation technologies, but we represent Canada’s interests on important international R&D, regulatory and standards issues. Some of our international activities include:

  • International Energy Agency (IEA)
    • Wind R&D Implementing Agreement
    • Ocean R&D Implementing Agreement
    • Solar Heating and Cooling Implementing Agreement
    • Photovoltaic Power Systems Implementing Agreement
  • Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) - Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation Task Force
  • Canada-China MOU on Transfer of Small Hydro Technologies
  • National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) collaboration with RETScreen International – Clean Energy Project Analysis Software
  • International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC)
    • Wind Energy Standards
    • Marine Energy Standards
    • Photovoltaic Energy Systems Standards (TC82)
    • Distributed Energy Resources and Smart Grid - communication standards (TC57)

Teaming with international partners we also undertake targeted international collaborative research, demonstration and deployment projects. These projects not only contribute to accelerating Canada’s own climate change goals, but contribute to the economic prosperity of the Canadian renewable energy industries. Internationally, we provide a critical clean energy technology perspective, working closely with private industry and other federal departments such as:

  • Industry Canada
  • Environment Canada
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans
  • Canadian International Development Agency
  • Regional Economic Development Agencies
  • Canadian universities

Adapting offshore technologies for the Canadian marketplace often requires technological adaptation to meet our challenging climate, North American regulations and standards. We are addressing this by working with innovative companies and by offering state of the art testing facilities.