Volt-age: Where innovation meets purpose
Building on its demonstrated strengths in world-class research and technology development in the built environment, clean energy and electrical and information technologies, Concordia University aims to be the leading university in Canada in achieving decarbonized resilient communities. The university uses a transformative and integrated approach based on technological and social innovation, with electrification as a key element. Related achievements position Concordia University as a world-leading institution. These include:
- leadership of two consecutive award-winning NSERC strategic research networks in smart net-zero energy buildings and related International Energy Agency initiatives;
- co-leadership of a national cybersecurity network;
- highly cited, groundbreaking research on climate change modelling; and
- novel work on electrical machines and energy storage.
In addition, Concordia University has attracted many prestigious NSERC Industrial Research Chairs in clean energy and a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Cities.
The research program will address the urgent need to accelerate and optimize the transition to decarbonized resilient communities. This involves design and integration of new technologies for smart carbon-neutral buildings, smart grids, energy storage, energy management, integration of distributed renewable energy resources and electrification of transportation. At the same time, it emphasizes innovation, affordability, equity and well-being of society, considering the specific needs of Indigenous communities.
The proposed research program, which has attracted about 140 top researchers from Concordia University and major partners including Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetENERGY research centres, the National Research Council of Canada and Hydro-Québec, is built around three themes:
- smart, sustainable and healthy built environment;
- resilient community energy and transportation systems based on renewables; and
- planning and governance for social equity and citizen engagement.
There are also three platforms that connect across the three themes: electrification, digitization and the Internet of things, living lab and knowledge mobilization.
The Concordia University campus will be used as a living lab for testing and demonstrating the cutting-edge clean energy technologies and smart building systems. Partners will have access to the living lab for collaborative projects with the research team, facilitating further innovation and commercialization.