Accelerating the global shift to clean energy

Curran Crawford’s research develops and applies computational tools to optimize renewable energy system designs and operations. Application areas include offshore wind and tidal energy, electrified transportation, e-fuels production and carbon capture and sequestration, in partnership with communities and industry, and together with researchers outside engineering.

Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)

Brad Buckham improves designs and operating strategies for offshore technologies using computer simulations. As director of the Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery, he provides international leadership in the study of critical marine energy issues, human dimensions of energy, education and training, and works closely with industry, not-for-profits, and government. His current work includes wave and tidal energy innovations in communities.

Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)

Ned Djilali’s work in fuel cell science and technology has shaped the field and includes pioneering computational modeling and design methods that have been adopted by industry. His research program addresses the challenges of large-scale integration of renewable energy, identifies long term pathways for energy and water sustainability, and informs policy.

Tamara Krawchenko specializes in comparative public policy and territorial development. Her scholarship focusses on understanding local/regional assets, challenges and opportunities, and supporting communities to meet their development goals. She has led international research programs on sustainability transitions, urban and rural development, Indigenous economies, and land use governance.

Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)

Basma Majerbi’s research focuses on climate-related financial risks and opportunities and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions. She consults with the International Monetary Fund and leads a multi-disciplinary Impact Investing Hub that accelerates investment in clean technology and helps SMEs and investors adopt ESG principles and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)

Madeleine McPherson’s expertise lies in sustainable energy systems integration and transitions. She is the co-founder of the Energy Modelling Hub, which convenes modellers and decision makers to support effective policy. Her research focuses on questions relating to variable renewable energy integration, demand response initiatives, utility-scale and behind-the-meter storage technologies, and integrating transport, power, buildings and water systems.

Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)

Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) specializes in Indigenous law, treaty politics and governance. She is committed to the resurgence of Indigenous legal traditions and institutions that can enable the restoration of relational ways of living, accounting for human responsibilities to the land, waters and other than human relatives. Her strengths also lie in community-engaged research methods and research implementation in Indigenous governance.

Centre for Indigenous Research & Community-Led Engagement

Naoko Ellis is a Professor in the UBC Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and an Associate Director at the UBC Clean Energy Research Centre. Her research spans from technical solutions around clean energy to understanding complexities around collaborative and sustainability education. She is engaged in transdisciplinary initiatives around the climate emergency and is establishing the Systems Beings Lab to foster systems perspectives to tackle complex challenges.

Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC)

Thomas Homer-Dixon is an adjunct professor with the School of Environment and Sustainability and the founder and director of the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University. His research is focused on threats to global security in the 21st century, including economic instability, climate change, and energy scarcity and on how people, organizations, and societies can better resolve their conflicts and innovate in response to complex problems.

Cascade Institute

Bruno G. Pollet is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR). He is also Deputy Director of the UQTR Research Hydrogen Institute (HRI) and President of the Green Hydrogen Division of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE). His research covers a wide range of areas from the development of novel materials for low-temperature fuel cells and water electrolyzers, hydrogen production from pure, waste and saline waters, as well as oxygenated solutions and CO2-saturated waters to fuel cell and electrolyzer systems, demonstrators and prototypes.

Michael Ross’ research program is governed and directed by northern electric power utilities, and in partnership with northern communities and Indigenous governments. His research focuses on integrating a high penetration of renewable generation in remote communities, diesel efficiencies, demand-side management, and microgrids as they pertain to northern and remote electric power systems. 

YukonU Research Centre