Oil and gas executive donates $1.5 million to Ontario Tech University

OSHAWA, ON - Ontario Tech University will accelerate its alternative fuel research efforts thanks to a $1.5-million donation from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sure Energy Inc. Jeffrey Boyce, The donation, the largest gift Ontario Tech University has received from an individual, will fund the Jeffrey S. Boyce research chair in Natural Gas (NG) as an Alternative Transportation Fuel.

"The future of transportation demands alternative energy sources and NG represents great potential," said Boyce, a Calgary-based entrepreneur. "Ontario Tech University's research endeavours will help us develop natural gas vehicle (NGV) opportunities, discover NG fuel efficiencies, encourage greater consumer investment in NGVs and expand the national infrastructure needed to realize the full potential of NG." 

The search for the research chair is underway. The chair will provide visionary and transformative leadership in taking an energy systems view of the use of NG for transportation including the technology and its economics, environmental impact and social acceptability. The research outcomes will include improving the design of equipment and systems for providing compressed natural gas (CNG) and/or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the transportation sector. It will have applications for use in cars and light trucks, such as the design of vehicle structures and gas tanks to store CNG and LNG, to optimize flexible fuel engine designs in terms of emissions, power and viability including hybrid systems that combine NG with biogas, hydrogen and other fuels. NGVs have several advantages over electric cars such as travelling further distances and being more reliable in inclement weather.

"Mr. Boyce's incredible generosity will help Ontario Tech University conduct game changing research in alternative fuels and improve Canada's contribution to mitigating the effects of climate change," said Dr. Michael Owen, associate provost, Research, Ontario Tech University. "This contribution will leverage Ontario Tech University's expertise and investment in the recently constructed Energy Research Centreand the General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence by finding innovative solutions."

A native of Oshawa, Ontario, Boyce has been active within the oil and gas sector in Calgary, Alberta since 1980. Throughout his career he has utilized innovative technologies to help grow his businesses. He has created, managed and built numerous successful energy companies including co-founding Vermilion Resources Ltd in 1994 now Vermilion Energy Inc., a multi-billion dollar international public oil and gas company. A 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist, he is also a recipient of the Ontario Premier's Award for College Graduates in 2006 and a member of the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame.

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As an innovative university, Ontario Tech University delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. Ontario Tech University's more than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; Science; and Social Science and Humanities. Ontario Tech University's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including seven Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit ontariotechu.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Ontario Tech University
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Media contact
Melissa Levy
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Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
289.928.0268
melissa.levy@ontariotechu.ca