Energy System Modeling Initiative

ISEEE has established an initiative to bring together and promote energy systems modeling expertise at the University of Calgary and from the broader community.

The goal is to make ISEEE and U of Calgary an internationally renowned and trusted source of valuable insights into how energy/environmental policies and technologies are likely to affect the energy, environment and economy of Canada and the world.


Focus: Understanding the Energy/Environment System Dynamic and Transition

Energy systems* worldwide are under pressure to transform. The drivers of transformation include concerns about price, security of energy supply, climate change, air pollution and water use and quality.
* Energy systems are the network of energy flows and technologies that link energy sources through energy carriers to energy services.

However, public opinion is increasingly set against all energy-related projects, whether they involve nuclear, wind, oilsands, shale gas or carbon capture and storage (CCS). Also, public support appears limited for initiatives that would significantly reduce energy demand. Clearly, the quality of the energy/environment debate must be dramatically improved, and the debate must be informed by credible and objective research..

Canada, as a major producer, exporter and consumer of energy, is faced with challenging decisions about how it will transform the country's energy system to address economic, environmental and societal objectives. Regardless the decisions made, there will be winners and losers. So it is not surprising that governments and companies are being lobbied continuously by technology proponents and special interest groups promoting particular policy or investment strategies.

To inform policy and investment decisions with credible and objective insights and analyses, and to better inform the energy/environment debate in Canada, ISEEE is leading a cross-discipline research effort to understand how energy/environmental technologies and policies will impact Canada’s energy system as well as the economy and environment of the nation and its regions.


The Three Challenges

Three main challenge areas in our energy system must be addressed if we are to transform it into one that is more sustainable and resilient in terms of our environment (climate change, water, land use, air quality, and human/animal health) and economy. From the perspective of energy system modeling, these three challenge areas are:

  • GREENING HYDROCARBON ENERGY. Hydrocarbons provide more than 80% of Canada’s energy supply, but their recovery, conversion and use has undesirable impacts on climate change, air quality, water and land use. ISEEE's Energy Systems Modeling Initiative will inform investment and policy decisions for approaches to address this challenge.
  • GREENING THE GRID. Most analysts of energy systems recommend an increase in the contribution of electrical power to the overall energy system. This is because electrical power is a high-quality energy carrier that has the benefit of no direct adverse environmental impacts when used; its challenges are associated with production and distribution. ISEEE's Energy Systems Modeling Initiative will generate valuable insights to inform investment and policy decisions relevant to 'greening' the grid.
  • GREENING COMMUNITIES. Residents of sprawling North American communities consume about twice the energy per capita compared with residents of European communities, but even the environmental impact of Europeans exceeds what is globally sustainable. Over the next 50 years, the number of people living in cities is expected to double, so it is critical that Canada develops and implements the technologies and policies that will significantly reduce the environmental cost associated with our built environment and transportation systems. ISEEE's Energy Systems Modeling Initiative will provide valuable decision support.

 

Outcome

TOWARDS A ‘MADE IN CANADA’ ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY.
To develop regional, national and North American strategies for energy systems that work for Canada, the insights generated from the three challenge areas above must be integrated. This will yield knowledge on the implications of proposed strategies for the environment and economy of Canada and its regions. By critically assessing energy-relevant technologies and policies, ISEEEE's Energy Systems Modeling Initiative will play a valuable role in informing investment and policy decisions that will form the foundation for an Energy/Environmental strategy for Canada.