August This and That

What a beautiful hot summer in Edmonton. We've had some spectacular hail and thunderstorms. The only thing I'd complain about is the mosquitoes...

LNG possibility lives on, even after death of Pacific NorthWest LNG
Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun  08.02.2017
"This week, just seven days after B.C. Premier John Horgan and his NDP cabinet were sworn in, global energy heavyweight Petroliam Nasional Bhd killed its mega-project Pacific NorthWest LNG, citing poor market conditions.

With a price tag of $11.4 billion for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and a docking terminal that would have loaded tankers bound for new markets in Asia, another $6 billion for a pipeline to carry gas from northeast B.C., and billions more needed to develop gas resources, this was no small cancellation.

There were as many as 4,500 jobs estimated for the project’s construction peak and another 300 or so estimated permanent jobs in northwest B.C., which has been hit hard by thousands of permanent job losses in the forestry sector, including from pulp mill and sawmill closures.

LNG was a nascent sector that had been touted by former Premier Christy Clark and her Liberal government as a new underpinning for the province’s economy." Read more
=====================================

Artificial Intelligence industry takes root in Alberta
By: Aaron Chatha Metro Published on Tue Aug 08 2017
"Alberta is becoming a hotbed for developing artificial intelligence, or machine learning technology.

Alberta technical agency Cybera thinks that AI research in the province could lead to more jobs, and a better retention of our best and brightest talent.

To start, the University of Alberta in Edmonton has led the charge in AI research for decades now. In fact, the federal government recently budgeted $125 million for AI research, and $25 million of that is already allocated for the U of A’s machine learning lab.

But the real kickstarter for Alberta’s AI industry is that DeepMind, a pioneer organization in machine learning, is opening their first-ever international AI research office in Edmonton." Jump
=====================================

 Edmonton welcomes new modular apartment
Tuesday, August 1, 2017

"Edmonton’s first modular apartment made entirely of shipping containers is opening this month at 95th Avenue and 163th Street. Known as Westgate Manor, the three-storey, 20-unit multifamily development will bring much needed affordable housing to the area.

Constructed with an innovative all-steel modular building technology that uses surplus shipping-containers as its structural core, the apartment modules are fabricated in the Ladacor factory in Calgary, then transported to the infill site to be installed. In total the process takes three months, with less than a month needed to erect the modules for the apartment block on site.

Westgate Manor features a mix of two-bedroom and one-bedroom units, all with balconies and patios, attractive landscaping, modern design, and extensive parking.

“The re-purposing of the shipping containers is both an environmental consideration, as well as providing a far superior steel structure,” said AJ Sliviniski, President of Step Ahead Properties.  “Offering schedule savings and less site disruption to the area, the non-combustible, durable steel versus wood material leads to higher public safety, and overall higher quality and lower execution risk with factory manufactured predictability. By the time the project is finished it is indistinguishable from conventional construction.”" Read more here