[news 2005-2006]

Queen’s University-developed solar hot water heater receives CSA approval

For immediate release

Nov. 24, 2006

KINGSTON / LONDON, ON – A solar hot water heater technology developed at Queen’s University in partnership with EnerWorks Inc. of London, Ontario, has received Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certification.

The certification makes EnerWorks the first manufacturer in the solar thermal industry in North America to receive the national stamp of approval for its products.

The designation, which covers the company’s solar hot water systems, including solar collectors and heat exchanger, certifies the products have been tested and meet recognized national standards for safety and performance.

The CSA approval is the culmination of a three-year process by EnerWorks to establish a CSA product certification for solar water heating appliances. Prior to receiving the certification, no product-wide certification existed for the industry.

“The leadership shown by the team at the Canadian Standards Association in initiating this work is a solid contribution to establishing a robust solar thermal industry,” says Ken Arnold, CEO of EnerWorks Inc. “This new certification will greatly enhance consumer confidence in solar heating products.”

“CSA certification is a strong endorsement of our commitment to being the Canadian leader in the development of efficient, affordable renewable energy technologies,” adds Mike Noble, President of EnerWorks.

“In meeting this goal, we are grateful for the assistance of commercialization partners such as NRCan’s REDI Program and Active Solar Program, CANMET Energy Technology Centre, PARTEQ Innovations, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University. These organizations, together with CSA, have helped to establish a standard and certification system for Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems that is a model for like-minded certification programs throughout North America,” Michael Noble says.

The EnerWorks commercial collector has also received the U.S. Solar Rating and Certification Corporation’s SRCC OG-100 certification, signifying the highest per-unit area energy rating compared to all other certified technologies. The U.S.-based SRCC is the only national certification program established solely for solar energy products.

To date, EnerWorks has installed thousands of its proprietary solar hot water heating systems in a wide variety of single family homes, housing developments and commercial facilities across North America. More recently, the company recently completed a $3.65 million financing to scale up production and accelerate sales.

The EnerWorks solar water heating system was developed jointly by EnerWorks Inc. and Dr. Stephen Harrison, a specialist in solar technologies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s. The patented technology was licensed to EnerWorks by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s University.

“EnerWorks’ attainment of this designation shows the considerable impact that can result from industry and researchers working together to advance innovative technologies to market,” says John Molloy, President and CEO of PARTEQ Innovations. “Thanks to the efforts of both EnerWorks and Dr. Harrison, consumers now have a reasonably priced, highly efficient and environmentally beneficial alternative to traditional hot water heating appliances.”

Contact:
John Molloy
President & CEO
PARTEQ Innovations
P: 613. 533. 2342
E: jmolloy@parteqinnovations.com

Ken Arnold
CEO, EnerWorks
P: 519.268.6500
E: karnold@enerworks.com

About the new CSA certification:
The Canadian Standards Association’s new F379.1 and F379.2 certifications reflect significant technology changes that have led to increased performance and reliability in solar domestic hot water systems. They replace CSA’s Standard F379 “Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems,” first published in 1986, which addressed only select elements of solar water heating systems.

About EnerWorks:
EnerWorks is a provider of solar thermal water heating systems for residential and commercial applications. The EnerWorks technology and design philosophy provides outstanding performance, manufacturability, ease of installation and reliability.
www.enerworks.com

About PARTEQ:
PARTEQ Innovations is the not-for-profit technology transfer arm of Queen’s University. PARTEQ works with Queen’s researchers and the business and venture capital communities to bring early stage technologies to market. Since 1987 PARTEQ has been instrumental in the establishment of nearly 40 companies developing a variety of products, from potential drugs for Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease to automated bacteria detection for water systems, solar-powered appliances, and advanced materials used in the plastics, automotive, aerospace and household appliance industries.
www.parteqinnovations.com