UCalgary 1 of 3 universities to lead federal government’s Clean Energy Hub

The Government of Canada understands the creation of a low-carbon economy in Canada will require a major transformation of our complex energy systems. Electrification, supported by clean and renewable energy and grid infrastructure modernization, is a key part of the solution.

On May 25, the federal government announced an investment of nearly $5 million for the Institut de l’énergie Trottier at Polytechnique Montréal, the School of Public Policy at University of Calgary, and the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at University of Victoria, to establish the Energy Modelling Hub to help realize a decarbonized energy system for Canada.

The hub will create a national network of energy and electricity modellers, policymakers, and other experts to guide the transformation of our complex energy systems to provide evidence-based insights and made-in-Canada solutions. Linking modellers and policymakers across Canada will help bridge the gap between data and policy, ensuring modelling activities inform the response to the most pressing energy policy questions of our time.

The four-year project is led by Dr. Normand Mousseau and Louis Beaumier from the Institut de l’énergie Trottier at Polytechnique Montréal, Dr. Blake Shaffer, PhD, from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, and Dr. Madeleine McPherson from the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria. 

“Canada has great ambitions for decarbonization and that will involve a pretty massive transformation,” says Shaffer.

As the centre of Canada’s oil and gas industry it’s important that Alberta is also at the heart of this energy transition.

"UCalgary and the School of Public Policy is playing a pivotal and foundational role in this vital initiative for Canada, which will help to guide policymakers, industry, and the whole community.”  

Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of natural resources,adds: “Canada is committed to supporting the energy transition needed to reach Canada’s climate goals by investing in clean energy technology projects that will lower emissions and increase our competitiveness. The Institut de l'énergie Trottier’s Energy Modelling Hub will be key to charting an effective pathway to a decarbonized energy system that will lead us closer to our net-zero goals.”