2014 Prime of Life Achievement Award

Professor Emeritus Robert Besant has had a significant influence on building science standards and engineering world-wide. His research on heat transfer in building components has led to computer design codes used by the heating and ventilating industry. His research into energy conservation led to the first cost-effective, energy-efficient house in North America.

The federal government's R2000 home energy-efficiency program, launched in 1982, was based on Besant's design and construction concepts. That program has resulted in fundamental changes in the way houses are designed and built in Canada and many other countries. Professor Besant led the research team that developed the first heat-recovery ventilator designed specifically for energy-efficient ventilation of houses and other small buildings. This work has led to the establishment of two Saskatchewan companies which together employ nearly 200 people.

Prior to his retirement, his honours and recognitions include: U of S Distinguished Researcher Award (1999), Solar Person of the Year (Solar Energy Society of Canada, 1992). Since official retirement, his scholarly focus has been on increased interactions with industry involving the development of new energy efficiency improvements for HVAC products for commercial buildings and industrial processes and improvements for potash production and quality control. This has led to the development of several new patents (each with several inventors), and others now under development, that have been assigned to the University for it to exploit and develop in a very dynamic and competitive industrial marketplace.

His post-retirement honours include: Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering (2006); Technical Paper Awards from American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (2004, 2005, 2007) and Honorary Chairman of the 23rd Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics (CANCAN 2013).