RED DEER POLYTECHNIC
Sustainability initiatives from across the province celebrated with inaugural Energy Innovation Fair Green Awards

Red Deer Polytechnic partnered with ReThink Red Deer to host the inaugural Energy Innovation Fair Green Awards Gala, an event recognizing energy innovation across Alberta. The awards night (held Friday, October 18) opened the Energy Innovation Fair, which took place this past Saturday on RDP's main campus.

"Recognizing energy innovation in Alberta is crucial, as it highlights the region's leadership in sustainable practices and technological advancements," says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research at Red Deer Polytechnic. "By promoting energy innovation, RDP contributes to the local economy, addresses global sustainability challenges and establishes itself as a leader in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals for Alberta's workforce."

The three Energy Innovation Fair Green Awards recognized entrepreneurs, small-medium enterprises and community organizations, with the awards themselves being produced using a laser engraver by team members in the Polytechnic's Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC).

The Entrepreneur honour was awarded to Savick, which is striving to bridge the gap between farmers' fields and straw-insulated homes. During the past two years, Savick has developed a prefabricated straw panel product, manufactured near Edmonton. The company is addressing various technical and operational challenges to make energy-efficient, carbon-storing and healthy homes more accessible to Albertans.

Kirk Zembal, co-founder of Blindman Brewing, received the Small-Medium Enterprise Award for that organization's innovative work in carbon capture and utilization, circular economy initiatives and green energy generation. Blindman Brewing is the first brewery in Canada - and among the first in the world - to implement a new technology that captures and utilizes carbon dioxide from beer fermentation. This groundbreaking approach showcases to tens of thousands of breweries globally that carbon capture and utilization can be both practical and financially viable.

The Community Award was presented to EcoVision, a student-led environmental club that has been active at École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (LCHS) since 2006. The club fosters leadership through a range of environmental projects that not only improve the environment but also enhance educational opportunities and promote community collaboration. Notable projects include a 6.0 kW solar system, a two-acre garden with 200 fruit trees and a beekeeping program. In addition, LCHS student and EcoVision member, Broc Johnson, is joining youth from around the world in Colombia this month to take part in the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference.

Steve Schultz (middle), EcoVision Teacher Facilitator with École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (LCHS), and two student members of EcoVision

Red Deer Polytechnic and ReThink Red Deer welcomed industry leaders and community members to RDP's main campus for the Energy Innovation Fair on October 19. This annual event showcased the latest advancements in clean technology, energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy as well as innovative oil and gas technologies unique to Alberta.

Below is a list of all nominees for the Energy Innovation Fair Green awards:

• Community
  • LCHS EcoVision (award winner)
  • Alberta Ecotrust
  • Eryn Beddoes - Red Deer Polytechnic
  • Ron Henderson - Otipemisiwak Metis Government of the Metis Nation within Alberta
• Entrepreneur
  • Savick (award winner)
• Small-Medium Enterprise
  • Kirk Zembal - Blindman Brewing (award winner)
  • Enhance Energy Inc.
  • Garrett Scott - Scott Subaru
  • Jeff Kwok - AI Shading