August 12, 2011

Police, local business partner with Durham College to investigate benefits of Mono-Pole technology

Kristen Calis

WHITBY -- A fleet of police cruisers that descended upon Durham College in Whitby last month wasn't there to investigate a problem.

Durham Regional Police officers were there to offer up their cars so the college could test a new technology. If successful, it could mean less fuel usage and cost savings for large fleets of vehicles such as public transit and emergency response teams.

"One of the other testings we're doing is to determine if it decreases emissions as well," said June MacDonald-Jenkins, project manager and industry liaison for Durham College's office of research and innovation, which is in charge of the project.

Innovative Solutions Inc. approached the office to see if it could test Mono-Pole technology in cars. This magnetic system essentially increases a vehicle's fuel combustion efficiency.

Some testing had already been done, showing the technology can increase fuel savings by 17 per cent.

"Our job is to determine whether 17 is a realistic number," Ms. MacDonald-Jenkins said.

When the team required a number of the same vehicles for testing, police came to the rescue. Stan MacLellan, DRPS chief administrative officer, called the project exciting.

"The Mono-Pole project is a prime example of how our partnership allows us to explore efficiencies that have the potential to assist our organizations but more importantly the community at large," he said in a press release.

Funded by the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation, the team ensured all elements were the same in the cars -- from the type of fuel they used to the condition of the vehicle -- before police took them for a 600-kilometre spin.

Police will drive the vehicles until September, when they'll be returned for phase two and even more road tests and evaluations.

Bill Bellamy is one of two second-year students in the college's motive power technician program working on the project.

"I think the more fuel you can save, the better for the environment," Mr. Bellamy said.

He said working in the hands-on setting is a great opportunity.

Darrin Caron, dean of the school of skilled trades, apprenticeship and renewable energy, said the school is looking to get more opportunities to do good research, and benefit the students.

"This is a college on the move," he said.