Grant: Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants

The Northern Energy Consortium (NEC) represent the energy industry across the northern territories.Comprised of Yukon Energy Corporation, ATCO Electric, Northwest Territories Power Corporation, andQulliq Energy Corporation, the NEC agreed that the most effective way to find solutions for their commonissues was to join together to combine knowledge and resources. The NEC understood in order to accomplishthe scope of innovative solutions that was envisioned, an expert in the energy field was necessary who had anestablished history of working closely with industry. Over the five years, the proposed Industrial ResearchChair (IRC) will execute an industry-led applied research program. The program will focus on investigatingsolutions to common issues of northern and remote energy systems. The IRC will provide a framework forsharing experiences, research guidelines, and solutions to help northern utilities plan for future expansion andimprovement of their systems. The partnership has identified a need for applied research in several streamsincluding: (i) better utilizing existing non-renewable infrastructure for improved efficiency; (ii) integrating ahigh penetration of volatile renewable energy; (iii) investigating the integration of energy storage anddemand-side management solutions; and (iv) developing and/or improving energy technologies, methods andprotocols that work in the North and benefit the industry members of the NEC, energy consumers, and theenvironment. The IRC will provide a research hub for the study of the integration of novel technologies in aneconomically, socially, and environmentally conscious and responsible manner. The goal of the project is todevelop an industry-driven research program while increasing knowledge and technology transfer betweenYukon College students, faculty, and staff and the pan-territorial energy industry. This transfer will equip theworkforce with highly qualified personnel trained and versed with technological solutions pertinent to theneeds for energy systems in the northern context.