Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Contrary to fossil fuels, the energy generated by renewable sources is intermittent and, in case of wind energy, often produced at times when not required. The Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Research (RECSR) initiative at Lambton College is exploring how to effectively store the excess electrical energy generated by renewable energy sources at times it is not needed for later use when it is in demand. Lambton College researchers, in close collaboration with several industrial partners, are developing control systems with the aim of optimizing the energy flow with high efficiency and low cost. The Energy Management Controller (EMC) under development at Lambton College, enables the outputs of renewable energy sources to be used directly, remain stored in the proposed media, or released on demand from the storage media. Hydrogen offers the longest viable energy storage, however, a number of electrolyzers and fuel cells of varying sizes and capacities are needed to develop a truly scalable system. The proposed research activities include the generation of hydrogen via electrolysis and photocatalysis using doped titania nanotubes. Generated hydrogen will be used to run fuel cells to generate electricity on demand. It is expected that the developed technology will be applicable to multiple sectors such as the renewable energy sector and the mobile and stationary emergency power back-up markets. The RECSR initiative will stimulate economic development through technology transfer to local and regional SME's as well as large industrial companies located in the region. The above project has also increased the capacity for Lambton College and its industrial partners to undertake applied research, development and commercialization activities in the area of renewable energy generation, conversion, storage, and supply. Finally, this initiative has created a conducive teaching environment to train a significant number of HQP.