In a move to further strengthen its long standing partnership with University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Veridian Corporation, the seventh largest municipal electricity company in Ontario donated a plug-in hybrid solar electric vehicle to the university.

In an event, Veridian President and CEO Michael Angemeer handed over the keys of his modified Toyota Prius to Dr. Greg Rohrauer, assistant professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at UOIT.

Dr. Rohrauer is also the lead for the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at UOIT, which will host research and development from worldwide automotive companies when it opens later this year.

Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT is committed to create a leading-edge, technology-rich learning environment for its student and provide them hands-on experience for promoting the highest quality of innovative research. According to the UOIT, the donation will greatly support the institution’s commitments.

Driven by Angemeer since 2007, the modified Prius was the first of its kind in Canada – using both grid electricity and electricity generated by solar panels on its roof which significantly reduces the car's fuel requirements.

In a press release, Veridian indicated that the vehicle has a larger nanophosphate lithium ion battery capable of storing an electric charge that allows it to run off the grid-generated electricity and solar-generated electricity, in addition to gasoline. For short distances, the car can run solely on electricity.

The sources at the university said that the vehicle will be used as part of the Automotive Engineering program's participation in Auto21 – Canada's national automotive research program – and vehicle to grid communications testing.

According to Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president, UOIT, the donation will help the university to introduce further advancements in vehicle electrification by enhancing student engagement. The donated vehicle will also facilitate vehicle-to-grid communications testing which is the thrust of the work performed under Auto21.

“This donation is another example of the strong, committed partnership between Veridian and UOIT to continue its research and development of electric vehicles, renewable energy and smart grid technologies,” Angemeer who is also a member of the university's Board of Governors said in a statement.

In September last year, Veridian Connections, a fully owned subsidiary of Veridian Corporation unveiled the installation of an Ice Bear energy storage system at Gleaners Food Bank.

The innovative technology enables a powerful change in how and when energy is consumed for air conditioning. It was deployed as part of a pilot project delivered through a partnership between Veridian and Toronto Hydro, and funded by the Ontario Power Authority's Conservation Fund.