1. University of Guelph Dec. 1, 2016
Overview of Research Collaboration Greenbug Energy Inc. NSERC Prof. W. D. Lubitz
University of Guelph
Dec. 1, 2016

2. Greenbug Energy

3. Greenbug Energy Tony Bouk and Brian Weber Delhi, Ontario
Spun out of Bluestreak Equipment Inc.
Design, manufacture and install Archimedes screw hydro generating stations since 2009
Small company: just a few employees

4. Archimedes Screw Generators
The weight of water falling through the screw turns the screw, which turns the generator and produces electricity.

5. Archimedes Screw Generators
Hundreds of European installations
“New” rapidly growing technology
Average efficiency 69% (Hawle et al., 2012)
34 European sites
Low profile
Fish friendly
Usually integrated in existing structures (wiers, abandoned mills)
From:

6. Archimedes Screws in Ontario
Greenbug Energy (Delhi, Ontario)
7.2 kW Archimedes screw generator commissioned Sept. 2013
Installed in existing dam and hydro building
First commercial system in North America
Technology is financially viable
Ontario FIT: 40 year contracts for hydro

7. Research Partnership w/ Greenbug
Prof. David Lubitz
Dynamics of Archimedes screw generators ( ongoing)
Instrumentation of Greenbug prototypes
Testing of small screws in lab
Development of models to optimize screw design
Funding
NSERC: Engage, CRD

8. Lab Testing

10. Research Collaboration Funding
Spring 2011
Dr. Lubitz introduced to Greenbug Energy by Business Development Office (now Catalyst Centre)
Fall 2011
NSERC Engage project
$25k – 6 months
Fall 2012
NSERC CRD project
$80k (NSERC 2/3, Greenbug 1/3) – 3 years
Winter 2015
Second NSERC CRD project
$120k (NSERC 2/3, Greenbug 1/3) – 4 years
Greenbug NSERC Projects w/ Other Faculty
Winter 2015 – CRD w/ Garabaghi
Winter 2015 – Engage w/ Taylor
In preparation – CRD w/ Taylor

11. Why CRD Program? Good leverage of industry money
NSERC will fund $2 for every $1 cash from company (+ $1 in-kind)
No overhead charged
Came out better than OCE, MITACs
NSERC programs are stable
Success rate relatively high if good company and research case made.

12. Benefits of the CRD Program
Good leverage of company contributions
Good support from NSERC staff (during application process, and during grant administration)
NSERC is “name brand” funding

13. Successful Partnerships Need:
The right collaborator: company must be realistic and invested in R&D
Realistic expectations by company and academics
Intellectual Property
Publication
Time investment: yours and theirs
Students
Practical yet research-driven problems.
NSERC needs to see real research
Company needs useful results

14. W. D. Lubitz, Associate Professor School of Engineering, University of Guelph
Recent Research
Pico hydro and Archimedes screw turbines
Wind turbine design and testing
Greenhouse microclimate
Solar resource models
Contact
x54387