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Industry News - Page 418 of 695

  • Alberta Explores Safe, Small-Scale Nuclear Technology

    Alberta will enter into an agreement with three other provinces to explore emerging, small-scale nuclear technology that could lower emissions and help diversify the energy sector.
    Premier Jason Kenney has signalled the intent for Alberta to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick to support the development of versatile and scalable small modular reactors (SMRs).
    SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear reactors and scalable to suit local needs, with lower upfront capital costs and enhanced safety features. This new and versatile technology could supply non-emitting, low-cost energy for on-grid and off-grid communities in Alberta, including remote and rural areas of the province, as well as industries with a significant need for steam, such as Alberta’s oil sands.
    “Our government is exploring all opportunities that could help diversify our economy and create jobs for Albertans. We are building on our track record of responsible and innovative energy production by exploring the potential for small modular reactors, which have the potential to generate reliable and affordable energy, while also strengthening our traditional resource sectors and reducing emissions. We are excited to collaborate with our provincial partners to stay ahead of the game in the development of this promising technology,” said Jason Kenney, Premier.
    “Alberta’s rich uranium deposits, respected innovation and research sector, and technically skilled and educated workforce could make us an attractive destination to develop and deploy SMRs. By signing on to this agreement, our government is taking another step to attract investment and job creators to our province by ensuring we have the appropriate regulatory framework in place should private industry decide to pursue this emerging technology,” stated Sonya Savage, Minister of Energy.
    Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.

    Quick facts
    •    SMRs are nuclear reactors that are smaller and more flexible than conventional nuclear reactors. SMRs would be small enough to be built in a factory and shipped by truck, rail or ship.
    •    A typical SMR would generate between two and 300 megawatts of electricity, which could provide power for a village or small city. In comparison, a conventional nuclear reactor can generate 600 to 1,000 megawatts, which can provide power for a large city.
    •    SMRs could operate independently or be linked to multiple units, depending on the required amount of power.
    •    In November 2018, the federal government released the Canadian Small Modular Reactor Roadmap that outlines recommendations for collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders to support SMR development in Canada.
    •    In February 2020, the federal government announced plans for a fall 2020 launch of Canada’s SMR Action Plan, which will outline progress and ongoing efforts across Canada.
    •    In December 2019, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to support the development and deployment of SMRs.
    •    Canada is the second largest uranium producer in the world, with about 15 per cent of total world production.
    •    The Athabasca Basin, which straddles the northern Alberta-Saskatchewan border, contains some of the greatest uranium resources in the world. 

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

  • Automated Harvesting With Robots In The Forest

    Automated Harvesting With Robots In The Forest

    FPInnovations is moving full speed ahead with its automated-harvesting project to usher in a new era of  forestry machinery with an eye to one day operating fully autonomous machines.
    Much of the forestry equipment in use dates from designs that originated in the 70s, with improvements made along the way. In an industry-leading move, the automated-harvesting team is developing the brains behind a new generation of machines destined for forest operations.
    “No one has been able to design a suitable machine that can work autonomously in a hostile forest environment,” says Francis Charette, digitalization manager at FPInnovations. “The terrain is unpredictable, there are many physical obstacles in the way, and the worksites are remote. The first step is basic automation and if we’re successful, and we have every reason to be, we’ll move on to more highly automated machines. FPInnovations and its partners want to be one of the first in the world to develop an algorithm capable of telling a machine what tasks to do in a forest environment.”
    FPInnovations recently acquired two new machines on which to develop its robotic skills.

    Log Loader For Automated Harvesting
    The mechanical log loader allows the automated-harvesting team to work on automating the crane function before scaling up to bigger machinery. From FPInnovations’ Pointe-Claire facility, engineers and programmers are working on getting the loader to detect logs on the ground while avoiding obstacles such as rocks, trees or even people nearby. To do that, sensors and hardware have been added to the machine and programmers are developing algorithms that will decipher the information, then perform a specific task.

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

  • Backwoods Energy Services Begins Work On Provincial Site Rehabilitation Program

    Backwoods Energy Services Begins Work On Provincial Site Rehabilitation Program

    Backwoods Energy Services (Backwoods), one of the largest Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada, is pleased to announce it has begun reclamation work associated with the Alberta Department of Energy’s Site Rehabilitation Program (SRP). The program will allow Backwoods to employ Indigenous workers and carry out abandonment activities on suspended and abandoned oil and gas sites in Alberta.

    Backwoods’ work within the SRP started in early July, marking a significant step in the acceleration of reclamation activities on an initial 56 well sites on Enoch Cree Nation lands on the western edge of Edmonton.  In addition, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Backwoods Energy Services have nominated multiple well sites on Alexis Whitecourt Reserve #232 for closure through future periods of the Site Rehabilitation Program.

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

  • Forest Sector Welcomes Ministers’ Efforts To Promote Importance Of Canadian Forestry

    Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) recently welcomed the CCFM’s public commitment to raising awareness about Canada’s world-leading approach to sustainable forest management, and how it helps fight climate change while supporting our move to a lower-carbon economy.
    “Canada is a global leader in how we sustainably manage our working forests for cultural, recreational, health, environmental, and economic benefits. Our deeply rooted commitment to forest renewal and forest health has helped Canada retain 90% of its original forest cover and will ensure that we will keep Canadian forests as forests forever,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor.
    “Canada’s forest sector has an opportunity to do more to help drive an economic recovery that secures and grows good-paying jobs in communities that need them, and delivers innovative products that support human health and are good for the environment. We are pleased to see Forest Ministers from across the country take note of this opportunity – one that is even more critical in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nighbor added.
    At the annual CCFM Forum on the Forests meeting, Ministers also discussed the ongoing implementation of the Forest Bioeconomy Framework and expanding the mandate of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFCC).
    “We are grateful to Northwest Territories Environment and Natural Resources Minister Shane Thompson for his leadership in hosting this year’s meeting under such exceptional circumstances and look forward to working with the Government of Manitoba’s Ministry of Agriculture and Resource Development as it prepares for next year’s gathering,” added Nighbor. 

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

  • John Deere Offers Grade Control-Ready For The L-Series Tractor Loaders

    John Deere Announces Industry-First Grade Control-Ready Offering For The L-Series Tractor Loaders

    A first in the construction market, the John Deere 210L and 210L EP Tractor Loaders are now available with grade control-ready and grade indication factory options, allowing for faster and more accurate fine grading. The grade technology options combined with an updated box blade result in increases to productivity and efficiency when completing site prep, road building and landscaping jobs, especially in tight areas.
    “We’re excited to facilitate grade control solutions for customers involved in fine grading applications,” said Brian Hennings, product marketing manager, backhoes and tractor loaders, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “When utilizing grade control technology, operators can finish jobs faster with fewer passes and less rework. This results in less fatigue and more productivity, ultimately boosting the business’s bottom line.”

    John Deere Announces Industry-First Grade Control-Ready Offering For The L-Series Tractor Loaders
    The grade control-ready machines are designed to support 2D or 3D grade control technology solutions, automatically controlling the box blade’s lift and tilt cylinders. Additionally, the factory-installed grade control-ready solution requires no hydraulic hose disconnections or bracket welding, and is designed to minimize technology installation. When adding grade control capabilities in the field, the customer simply selects their preferred technology provider (e.g., Topcon, Trimble or Leica) and works with their dealer to install the finishing kit on the machine.
    These tractor loaders are also available with a factory-installed grade indication option. It provides an on-board readout of the machine cross slope and main fall slope in real time, all within the existing machine’s display. This simple, integrated solution requires no additional hardware or software.
    The 210L and 210L EP machines are also equipped with an updated box blade, providing a single attachment solution designed to both cut the grade and spread materials accurately with great visibility. The increased clearance of the ripper mechanism on the box blade allows rock and gravel to more readily pass through the frame. It also features fewer moving parts, increasing reliability, while the ripper hook has improved locking in the working position.
    The 210L is equipped with a 93-horsepower PowerTech™ Plus diesel engine, while the 210L EP boasts a 69-horsepower Yanmar engine that requires no aftertreatment components needed to comply with Environmental Protection Agency emissions regulations, resulting in lower total cost of ownership and enhanced uptime. Both models feature a four-speed PowerShift™ transmission for smooth, no-clutch, fingertip shifting.
    The on-the-fly mechanical front-wheel drive can be engaged to give extra traction in poor job site conditions or to move heavy loads. An optional limited-slip front axle delivers 65% of available power to the tire with the best traction for true all-wheel-drive pulling power. Additionally, compared to the K-Series models, loader lift cycle times and loader lifting capacity were increased by 26% and 17%, respectively, increasing productivity. 
    Additionally, when the ride control option is activated, the front loader hydraulic cylinders act as shock absorbers with or without full loads, smoothing box blading over rough terrain to help get sites to grade and reduce operator fatigue.
    For additional information and specifications, visit your local John Deere dealer or www.JohnDeere.com. 

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

  • A New Era For The Toro Loaders And Trucks From Sandvik

    A New Era For The Toro Loaders And Trucks From Sandvik

    Sandvik is reintroducing its earlier, renowned Toro family name for its underground hard rock loaders and trucks, model by model, starting later this year. The Toro™ family name has been recognized by Sandvik underground mining customers for decades and now Sandvik is bringing back the bull, firstly with the large intelligent loaders Toro LH517i and Toro LH621i.
    Toro, “the bull”, has traditionally symbolized the strength of Sandvik underground hard rock loaders and trucks since the first model was introduced in the early 1970s. Even though the family name has not been used for fifteen years, it has never disappeared from the thoughts of the company and many of its customers.
    For the new generation of Sandvik loaders and trucks, the Toro stands for safer, stronger and smarter. “Safety is at the forefront of our product design and crucial for those who work in or around our loaders and trucks. We also believe that environmentally-sound solutions and sustainability principles firmly belong with safety. Being strong and powerful is at the very heart of the old Toro. To be robust, reliable and productive in the most demanding of conditions is part of our heritage, and we will keep that with us going forward. Being smart involves seamless integration with Sandvik’s AutoMine and OptiMine offering, but it is also about innovation and smart design: e.g. how we arrange maintenance access, improve efficiency and reduce waste. Developing intelligence on all frontiers is, and will be, one of the key elements of the Toro going forward,” said Wayne Scrivens, VP Product Line, Load and Haul.

    Upgraded Sandvik Intelligent Loaders Toro LH517i And Toro LH621i
    toro-LH517i-2-400px.pngThe large intelligent loaders Toro LH517i and Toro LH621i now come with several design upgrades aimed to further boost productivity, reduce total cost of ownership and improve operator experience. Both loaders can now be equipped with a Stage V state-of-the-art engine, meeting the most stringent current emission regulations. Operator speed assist, a new feature that will be available with the Stage V engine option, specifically supports downhill tramming and preserves the equipment brakes as the Sandvik Intelligent Control System can be set to limit maximum speed. A new traction control system, available as an option, reduces wheel spin and slippage when penetrating to the muck pile, extending tyre lifetime. Finally, a training simulator, Digital Trainer, has been added to the Load and Haul equipment range, offering a compact and flexible solution for the safe training of operators, with authentic controls and real loader control system.

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    Sep 24, 2020 - 5 years ago

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