Bruce Power energizes Oshawa’s Ontario Tech University with $250,000 gift
Published May 9, 2024 at 9:43 am
A cutting-edge Energy Research Centre (ERC) lab at Ontario Tech University will be re-named the Bruce Power Thermalhydraulics Laboratory, thanks to a $250,000 donation from Canada’s largest nuclear power station.
The ERC houses the school’s nuclear engineering programs, as well as other energy labs and learning spaces. It serves as a hub for Ontario Tech’s unique-in-Canada education programs and research in geothermal, hydrogen, natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind energy technologies.
“We at Bruce Power take immense pride in our ongoing collaboration with Ontario Tech University, recognizing the importance of capital investment in nurturing a young and thriving post-secondary institution,” said Bruce Power CEO Michael Rencheck. “It brings profound satisfaction to champion Ontario Tech’s commitment to cultivating and empowering the next generation of energy leaders.”
The investment by Bruce Power, a privately run company, will have a “tremendous” positive impact on the university by offering access to advanced facilities and resources, said Ontario Tech President Dr. Steven Murphy.
Bruce Nuclear Station
“We are incredibly grateful for their generous additional investment in our students and our facilities and technology infrastructure,” Murphy said, while praising the “dynamic partnership” between Bruce Power and Ontario Tech. “We are proud to recognize one of Canada’s leading energy providers through the naming of the Bruce Power Thermalhydraulics Laboratory, testament to our shared commitment to impactful research and real-world problem solving.”
The laboratory conducts research that contributes to safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. Research in thermalhydraulics ensures efficient heat transfer, maintains reactor safety, and optimizes energy production by managing coolant flow and temperature distribution within the system.
In addition to enhancing important nuclear energy research, the gift also supports the university’s ‘tech with a conscience’ ethos – the foundational belief that the pursuit of technological advancement must be coupled with deliberate ethical consideration, ensuring that its innovations contribute positively to humanity and the planet.
Bruce Power has a history of collaboration with Ontario Tech, including the Bruce Power Engineering Internships for Women, an initiative to build a more inclusive nuclear workforce by nurturing a diverse pipeline of future energy professional.
Ontario Tech has been a hub for groundbreaking research with real-world applications since the school opened its doors in Oshawa in 2003.
