Alternative Energy Development

SRC's Alternative Energy Development Business Unit supports the development of alternative energy sources that reduce global warming, reduce urban smog, increase energy supply, and lower fuel costs.

We work with clients to develop commercial products for the alternative energy sector by applying intelligent control systems technology. These products enjoy a global market and growing demand.

The Business Unit's current emphasis is on hydrogen, natural gas, and ethanol vehicles. SRC™ meshes cleaner fuels with smart technology to make these vehicles a viable option, competitive with conventionally fuelled vehicles in driving range and operating costs.

Capabilities and Expertise:

Engineers and technologists work in a fully equipped Research Lab with the following core competencies:

• technology associated with natural gas, hydrogen, and ethanol vehicles
  
• mechanical engineering
  
• automotive fuel-injection technology
  
• automatic control system, intelligent control system, and neural network design and development
  
• chassis dynamometer testing
  
• automotive emission controls and diagnostics
  
• natural gas appliance testing
  
• high-pressure gas flow measurement
  
• mechanical design
  
• computer modeling
  
• bench testing, field testing, and demonstration
  
• data acquisition and instrumentation
  
• welding and machining

The core team is strongly supported by other SRC™ business units that provide specialized skills and services in electronics, fabrication, and analysis as follows:

• microprocessor-based controller design (8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit)
  
• rapid in-house layout and prototyping of electronic printed circuit boards
  
• rapid prototyping of products involving metal or plastic
  
• precision machining and batch fabrication
  
• engineering development and analysis
  
• gas chromatography on fuel composition and exhaust products
  
• processes for alternative fuels development

Competencies are further enhanced through collaboration with the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, one PhD and three MSc graduate students.

Industrial and government partners and clients include:

Cameco


SRC's Alternative Energy Development Business Unit has been working on natural gas vehicles since 1985.

Past and current activities include the following alternative energy projects:

• first generation hydrogen vehicles
  
• intelligent control systems in fuel cell vehicles and natural gas vehicles
  
• electronic pressure regulators for hydrogen and natural gas
  
• mono-fuel and bi-fuel natural gas Geo Metros
  
• testing of natural gas furnaces and water heaters
  
• a fuel-injected natural gas scooter
  
• testing of natural gas regulators
  
• NGV infrastructure development
  
• compressed natural gas pickups and tractors on farms

Contact Information:

Sheldon Hill
Alternative Energy Development Business Unit Manager
Ph: 306-933-6925
Email: hill@src.sk.ca

Mike Sulatisky
Principal Research Engineer
Ph: 306-933-5468
Email: sulatisky@src.sk.ca

Joe Lychak
Senior Research Technologist
Ph: 306-933-5040
Email: lychak@src.sk.ca