OUR VISION
Key Stats to Date
Initiated in 2016
$2.5 M Funding Secured
18 Industry Partners
15 Academic Principal Investigators
Industry Partners
Consortium Members
Contributing Partners
Government & Association Partners
Natural Gas
PRODUCTION
Production systems must minimize emissions while preserving the attractive economics of gaseous fuel. We are developing technologies to increase the penetration of renewables in gas supplies, and to track emissions with distributed sensors.
DISTRIBUTION
Transportation systems must be economical across many scales. We are developing novel liquefaction technologies and infrastructure models for optimized supply chains.
STORAGE & REFUELING
Storage and refueling systems are the source of significant cost, complexity and emissions. We are developing models, simulations, and experimental platforms on liquefied natural gas (LNG) state during storage, transfer, distribution, spills, and leaks.
END USE
Conversion of natural gas into useful energy must be efficient with minimized emissions. We are developing the next-generation engine and combustion systems for blended dual fuel combustion, dedicated natural gas engines and emissions catalysis.
POLICY & DECISION SUPPORT
Underpinning any responsible alternative fuel adoption is the complete life-cycle assessment of its impact, including greenhouse gas emissions. Our research focuses on economic and emissions modelling of distribution options with complete business case assessment, and decision analysis.
Our Expertise
Renewable Natural Gas
Computer Simulation
Process Optimization
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Emissions Reduction Technology
Real-time Emissions Measurement and Data Validation
Life Cycle Analysis
Walter Mérida
Professor, Associated Dean of Research and Industrial
Partnership, Director of CERC |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Paul Blomerus
Industry Partnerships Advisor |
Clean Energy Research Centre
Kevin Wei
Natural Gas Futures Project Manager |
Clean Energy Research Centre
Tony Bi
Professor |
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Joshua Brinkerhoff
Assistant Professor |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Cigdem Eskicioglu
Professor |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Kasun Hewage
Professor |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Mina Hoorfar
Professor, Director |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Jasmin Jelovica
Assistant Professor |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Patrick Kirchen
Assistant Professor |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Eric Li
Assistant Professor |
Faculty of Management, UBC-O
Sunny Li
Assistant Professor |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Mark Maclachlan
Professor |
Department of Chemistry
Steve Rogak
Professor |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Rehan Sadiq
Professor, Associate Dean |
School of Engineering, UBC-O
Kevin Smith
Professor |
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Mike Wolf
Professor |
Department of Chemistry
Naomi Zimmerman
Assistant Professor |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Why Partner with Natural Gas Futures?
EXPERTISE
Our researchers are experts in a wide range of natural gas research areas including: energy system modelling, complex system design, chemistry, thermodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, combustions and emissions, economic and emissions modelling, life cycle assessment, and more.
STRONG GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS
We have developed strong connections with a diverse group of government and industry partners that help maximize both the relevance and impact of our efforts.
PROVIDE REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS
We develop our research projects to address our partners interests and concerns. With our world-class researchers and state-of-art techniques, we provide sophisticated models and breakthrough technologies to help our partners lead in natural gas industry.
LEVERAGED FUNDING
Collaborating with Natural Gas Futures allows partners to leverage their research investment with matching funds from the federal and provincial programs.