Truck featuring Westport's HPDI technology
Vancouver’s Philip G. Hill, principal inventor of Westport’s founding technology using clean-burning natural gas in diesel engines, will win the 2011 $100,000 Encana Principal Award granted by the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation. Hill’s innovation of high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) allows diesel engines to operate with the same power and efficiency that they are known for, but with reduced emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and 21-27 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.
The economics of using HPDI are also attractive to vehicle operators: compared to the price of diesel, on an energy equivalent basis, natural gas provides significantly lower operating costs.
Hill conceived and first developed the technology in the late 1980s in his research lab at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research group’s work led to the founding in 1995 of Vancouver-based Westport Innovations Inc., now a company of over 650 employees and whose technology portfolio includes over 200 patents, many of which stem from Hill’s original series of inventions.
Engines running with HPDI technology test well below the US Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for harmful emissions, and have impressed heavy-duty vehicle operators and original equipment manufacturers alike from the West Coast to the Far East.
“Westport’s growing number of joint ventures and strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Cummins, Volvo and Weichai signal both the economic benefits to Canada arising from Hill’s innovation and its growing global social and environmental impacts,” said Murray Goldberg, BC Chapter Chair with the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation.
“Philip Hill’s passion for knowledge continues to inspire innovation at Westport,” said David Demers, CEO and founder of Westport. “His revolutionary technology and the inspired brilliance of the team at Westport have led Westport places we never imagined back in 1995. I heartily congratulate Phil for this tremendous achievement.”
“I am very, very grateful that HPDI technology is being recognized in Canada by the Manning Foundation and globally by engine and truck manufacturers,” said Hill. “It is with great honour and humility that I represent so much team effort that went into this technology and company success. What’s happened is the result of the synergistic teamwork of many brilliant people.”
Hill is scheduled to receive his award in Edmonton on October 14th, in front of an audience of Canadian innovators, elected officials, educators and business leaders, at a gala hosted by Senator Pamela Wallin, OC.
(This article compiled using information from a Westport Innovations, Inc. press release)
