Catalyst for energy transition
Source: | · UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA · | May 25, 2022
Source: Civil engineer Madeleine McPherson is a passionate about finding effective ways to transition to a clean, sustainable energy system. Her vision and research have been critical factors in the creation of the new Energy Modelling Hub. Credit: UVic Photo Services
A vision to ensure that Canadian policymakers can make the best decisions when setting out to remove carbon from the country’s energy systems is a big step closer to reality with the creation of a national energy modelling centre.
On May 25, Natural Resources Canada announced $5 million toward the new Energy Modelling Hub (EMH), which will be led by a team of researchers at University of Victoria, Polytechnique Montréal and the University of Calgary.
UVic civil engineer Madeleine McPherson’s vision and research have been a driving force behind the creation of the hub. The new entity aims to provide consistent, evidenced-based tools and information to policymakers on how best to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources, such as wind and solar.
“Policymakers are looking for pathways to transform Canada’s energy systems to meet climate goals,” says McPherson. “We need modelling to see into the future to show us how to make the best decisions to remove carbon from our energy systems. Then we need to get that information into the hands of the decision-makers who can turn net zero into a reality.”
The work conducted by McPherson and contributing to the new hub reflects UVic’s commitment to climate action, as articulated in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Bridging the gap
The energy modelling landscape in Canada is fractured and the hub hopes to link the modelling community and decision-makers. Energy modelling is a process of using computers to simulate various parts of energy systems, which are too vast and complex to replicate in a lab. These models help researchers understand the ramifications of various large-scale “what if” scenarios, and serve as crucial tools in making effective decisions about decarbonization, or the broad, systemic reduction of carbon.