Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
October 25, 2016
The following is being distributed at the request of the Research & Development Corporation:
Positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as Leader in Arctic R&D
RDC Investments Advance Arctic Research and Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Research & Development Corporation (RDC) is participating in the 2016 Arctic Technology Conference (ATC) in St. John's this week in support of Newfoundland and Labrador's R&D capabilities and expertise in Arctic and other harsh operating environments.
"The Arctic Technology Conference brings together the world's leading experts in Arctic and harsh
environment technology and presents a significant opportunity to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador
as the path to the Arctic. With a focus on innovative technology and practices, this conference
allows us to build international awareness about the province's infrastructure, expertise and proven
R&D capabilities."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural
Development and Minister Responsible for RDC
As Newfoundland and Labrador's university, Memorial University researchers play a critical role in advancing important Artic and harsh environment research.
"We are delighted to be a part of ATC 2016. Our researchers are leading important initiatives that
have enabled Memorial to become a world leader in cold oceans and the Arctic. Through continued
strategic investments in talent, infrastructure, programming and collaboration with private, public
and other academic partners, we will continue to grow this expertise."
- Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University
Since 2009, RDC has invested more than $34 million in 123 R&D projects that support advancements in Arctic technology and operations in harsh environments.
"Newfoundland and Labrador's geographic location, R&D expertise and support infrastructure provide us
with a competitive advantage that positions the province as the best place in the world to develop and
deploy technology for resource exploration, development and operations in harsh climates. By investing
in Arctic-related R&D, RDC is helping to build a foundation for long-term economic prosperity in the
province."
- Mark Ploughman, Acting CEO of RDC
One such project that demonstrates RDC's support for Arctic-related R&D at Memorial University is Dr. Claude Daley's Practical Ice Operations Design and Assessment Tool. Dr. Daley uses Graphics Processing Units Event Mechanics (GEM) based software to model ice interaction with moving and stationary bodies in Arctic environments, and aims to simulate complex cases of ship operations in pack ice and the impact of ice on ship structures. The speed of modeling made possible by the GEM based software has attracted industry collaboration from both Shell and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). RDC's investment of $312,000 in the project has leveraged $432,000 from industry.
"The idea of GEM is exciting. We are trying to apply a new approach to simulation of complex practical
problems of operations. We are seeing that some very complicated problems can be modelled and clarified
with this approach. The uncertainty that once characterized operations in pack ice is beginning to
disappear. We are applying simple rational physics and careful engineering validation to reduce the
uncertainties and risks of ice operations. This is especially important right here in Newfoundland
and Labrador, and we hope also in many other parts of the world."
- Dr. Claude Daley, Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of
Newfoundland
Leading classification society ABS is a partner and contributor to the development of the GEM simulation technology, and has a shared vision that simulation technology will play a progressively important role in future design and operational decisions.
"In the current project, we are leading an effort to verify and validate the software tool and its
results, with the goal of achieving optimal operational safety. This novel approach to modeling ships
and offshore structures in pack ice conditions has tremendous potential as a practical engineering
tool for enabling better understanding of harsh-environment risks. Having more accurate data in-hand
will allow better designs to be developed and more effective mitigation strategies to be put in
place."
-John Dolny, ABS Harsh Environment Technology Center
QUICK FACTS
- RDC is demonstrating their support for Arctic-related R&D activities at the 2016 Arctic Technology Conference ATC in St. John's from October 24-26, 2016.
- Since 2009, RDC has invested over $34 million in 123 R&D projects that support advancements in Arctic technology and harsh environment operations.
- RDC has invested $312,000 in Dr. Claude Daley's R&D project that aims to simulate complex cases of ship operations in pack ice and the impact of ice on ship structures.
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Media contacts:
|
Debbie Marnell Director of Communications (A) Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4819, 699-9048 debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca |
Jackey Locke Communications Co-ordinator Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University 709-864-8287 jackey.locke@mun.ca |
|
Ashley Russell Marketing & Communications Specialist Research & Development Corporation 709-758-0308, 730-4079 ashleyrussell@rdc.org |
John Dolny ABS Harsh Environment Technology Center 709- 864-4304 jdolny@eagle.org |
2016 10 25 3:15 p.m.