—MagPower Systems (White Rock, BC). This company has developed a patented magnesium-air fuel cell, which it says can reduce the amount of hydrogen release that has prevented such systems from becoming commercially viable in the past. It says it is the only company in the world that has solved this problem. The technology is intended to power devices like air compressors, blenders, and refrigerators.
—NaiKun Wind Energy (Vancouver, BC). This company is developing a wind power project off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands, where it says it will harness some of the strongest and most consistent winds in the world. It should be able to provide electricity to 130,000 homes in British Columbia, the company says.
—Nevada Geothermal (Vancouver, BC). This company has four properties in the Western United States, with three in Nevada and one in Oregon. It typically drills 4,000 to 8,000 feet below the surface to tap hot groundwater that turns to steam at the surface, and which can drive turbines to create electricity.
—Nexterra Energy (Vancouver, BC). This company raised $3.8 million in August from ARC Financial of Calgary, the largest energy investment firm in Canada. It uses a gasification process to generate heat and power from waste fuels at industrial facilities.
—NxtGen (Burnaby, BC). This company, which raised $15.4 million in venture funding last October, makes syngas systems that can retrofit diesel engines to reduce emissions.
—Pangaea Ventures (Vancouver, BC). This venture firm raised a second fund worth $32 million (U.S.) back in August. It invests in cleantech companies, including Burnaby, BC-based Switch Materials, which makes more energy-efficient smart window technology.
—Plutonic Power (Vancouver, BC). This company is building a 196 Megawatt hydroelectric project that’s expected to be completed in 2010. It uses “run-of-river” technology that doesn’t store water, which it says is more environmentally friendly than traditional hydropower.
—Quantum Wind Power (Kelowna, BC). This company develops and manufactures industrial wind turbines.
