(Source: MARKETWIRE)Canada is cementing its position as a leader in clean energy development today with an investment of $54 million to support the development and demonstration of 18 innovative technologies. The announcement, confirming the decision of the Board of Directors of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), was made today by the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, and Vicky Sharpe, SDTC's President and CEO.

"By investing in clean energy technologies our Government is helping to stimulate our economy, creating jobs and helping to protect the environment," said Minister Raitt. "This venture will compliment our Economic Action Plan initiatives and encourage the development of new technologies that will foster a healthy, cleaner and more prosperous Canada."

"The funding announced today will accelerate the development of promising clean technologies, moving them closer to market so they can be drivers for strong economic growth while helping achieve Canada's environmental objectives," said SDTC Chairman Juergen Puetter. "The projects included in this funding round provide solutions to energy efficiency and energy consumption issues that we are facing right now - their benefits will be realized in the short term and for years to come."

These innovative technologies involve many of Canada's main economic sectors, including energy utilization, transportation and waste management. Some highlights of this round include:

Technologies that can make the transportation of goods more environmentally-friendly, including one that uses rechargeable panels containing ice slurry which can be used during transportation, distribution, and store shelf cooling.

Clean energy technologies that provide solutions to a range of issues, from access and affordability of clean water to energy-efficiency in buildings to the transformation of waste into valuable products.

These new investments bring SDTC's total portfolio value to $1.4B. SDTC's SD Tech Fund(TM) has completed fourteen funding rounds, committing $425 million to 171 clean technology projects, and leveraging over $1billion from project consortia members. These figures include adjustments made to the portfolio.

"The great potential of clean technologies included in this round shows that Canada is well positioned to successfully transition to the new, green economy," said Vicky Sharpe, SDTC President and CEO.