Grant: College and Community Innovation Program

The Sarnia-Lambton region's dominant economic activities have historically been based in agriculture, and the chemical industries. There has been a significant regional effort recently to utilize the regional capacity to attract energy companies to establish unique ""Sarnia-Lambton Sustainable Energy Cluster"" to diversify the regional industry, utilize local capacity, differentiate the regional economy to be able to attract companies, create new jobs and ultimately develop a hub for energy projects. Many established regional or newly attracted energy companies are SMEs lacking R&D capabilities. In direct alignment with the region's strategic vision, Lambton College as an only local post secondary institution is establishing a suite of comprehensive applied research and development service points that will form the ""Lambton Energy Research Centre (LERC)"". The LERC's goal is to support the energy-industry with applied research, technological development, and knowledge transfer by providing research facilities, laboratories, students, and faculty support.* Lambton College through LERC will collaborate with industrial partners to conduct applied research in the areas of: a) renewable energy system design and development, b) microgrid and smart grid development c) system optimization, and d) pilot plant construction and testing. The initiative has attracted nine projects in partnership with six SMEs. The LERC will also benefit from close partnerships with local organizations in the energy-industry value chain including Sarnia-Lambton Economic Development, Sarnia Lambton Research Park and Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance to develop more projects, bring new and improved technologies to market and consequently generate economic impact in our community and beyond. The LERC will also provide an excellent opportunity to educate highly qualified personnel for energy and renewable energy industries and enhance Alternative Energy Engineering Technology program at Lambton College. The LERC initiative will stimulate economic development through technology transfer to the partners, local and regional SME's and will allow the Sarnia-Lambton region to exploit the global energy-industry market.