A Richmond company is receiving nearly $73,000 in provincial funding for its hydrogen-fuelling technology.
IRDI System Inc., on No. 3 Road near Westminster Highway, builds hydrogen-fuelling components for passenger and heavy-duty vehicles and also exports products internationally.
It’s one of two Richmond companies – the second being Foreseeson Technology Inc. – that the provincial government is highlighting for its work in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sector.
IRDI is receiving $72,940 in funding from the province’s CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization Program, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation announced on Tuesday.
The program supports B.C.’s ZEV sector by providing targeted support for research and development, and commercialization activities.
The funding is for IRDI’s infrared transmitter, used for acquiring data in refuelling hydrogen fuel-cell passenger vehicles, as well as a handheld diagnostic receiver that tests the functionality of infrared communication systems in hydrogen-fuelling stations.
Edward Li, IRDI’s general manager, said in a statement that the company has grown from a small start up to a “global leader in infrared communication technology for hydrogen fuelling.”
“This grant will ensure we continue innovating during this exciting time and help us to maintain our head start in burgeoning hydrogen markets such as Europe, Korea, North America and Japan.”
The provincial government is also highlighting nearby Foreseeson Technology Inc. – on Embridge Way near Gilbert Road and Westminster Highway – which has been IRDI’s main manufacturer since 2010, sourcing parts and performing assembly, integration and testing for its infrared communications systems.
S.U. Moon, Foreseeson’s president, said the company is honoured to be IRDI’s partner in manufacturing its products.
"With the B.C. Hydrogen Strategy being put into action toward the advancement of hydrogen technology, creating jobs and making B.C. a leader in the hydrogen economy, it is important to have a reliable manufacturing capability to build such high-end products locally," he said.
The hydrogen strategy identifies a series of actions that government, industry and innovators can take to help B.C. become a leader in the production, use and export of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen to help meet emission targets.
The provincial government says both IRDI and Foreseeson are “helping B.C. transition to a clean-energy future by creating new clean tech jobs as well as advancing the use of hydrogen and zero-emission vehicle technology.”
“B.C. is home to many innovative clean-tech companies that are helping us grow as a leader in the hydrogen economy and ZEV industry,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, in a statement.
“We’re seeing B.C. companies engaged in businesses that show how hydrogen will help us meet our CleanBC goals and create new high-paying clean-tech jobs throughout the province as well.”
