Red River College's leadership in developing sustainable new technologies has been recognized by the Province of Manitoba with a 2009 Excellence in Sustainability Award for Research and Innovation.

Through its Applied Research & Commercialization program, the College has engaged in several projects focused on sustainability in the building, construction and transportation sectors. Much of this research has centered on testing new technologies that bring environmental and economic benefits, such as:

• Evaluating the thermal properties and performance of a prototype of the double curtain wall that was used in construction of Manitoba Hydro's new headquarters.
• Converting 10 standard hybrid cars into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and monitoring their performance in a cold weather climate, in partnership with the Province of Manitoba.
• Integrating a new engine/transmission combination into a bus chassis for Motor Coach Industries to meet heightened emission standards in the United States.
• Cold weather testing of a hydrogen-powered transit bus, including compressing the hydrogen, and maintaining and refuelling the vehicle.
• Using spent cooking oil to produce biodiesel for College vehicles, and soap to be used as hand and equipment de-greaser.

"Red River College is committed to working with industry and public-sector partners to further Manitoba's economic growth and climate change goals through the development of innovative green technologies," said Ray Hoemsen, RRC's Director of Applied Research & Commercialization. "We're proud to have those efforts recognized by the Province of Manitoba and the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development with this award."

To support its sustainable research agenda, the College and its partners have invested in the development of new facilities, like the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) and the new Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC). These centres will be key resources in Manitoba's efforts to develop new technologies that enhance environmental, economic and social well-being.