On December 4, the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ (MEM) Distribution, Conservation and Innovation Policy Division hosted their annual Divisional Day at the University of Toronto.
Welcomed by Lawson Climate Institute and U of T’s Government Relations office, the group engaged with LCI researchers and U of T experts on topics relevant to the ministry. An introductory session at U of T’s historic Hart House shed light on energy, electricity, climate, and energy policy research the university, followed by tours of the geothermal exchange system, Grid Modernization Centre, and University of Toronto Electric Vehicle (UTEV) Research Centre. Around 65 ministry staff were in attendance, including Assistant Deputy Minister Kelly Brown, who thanked LCI for their hospitality to close out afternoon’s remarks.
U of T researchers are leading innovative electric vehicle (EV) and energy initiatives in collaboration with industry and government. These initiatives provide students with hands-on learning opportunities to launch careers in high-demand fields, while also supporting upskilling for professionals in the EV industry. Additionally, these initiatives tackle critical challenges facing both industry and policymakers such as Ontario’s energy transition and grid resiliency.
Professor Adonis Yatchew (Economics) shared updates on U of T research and the possibilities of leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) in mining efforts. According to Yatchew, DERs are decentralized, can be located in remote areas, and provide “non-wired alternatives” even in areas that are grid connected. His message for mining innovation in Ontario and Canada is to increase focus on processing, not just extraction.
Assistant Professor Jeffrey Sun (Economics) offered insights on the importance of “reskilling” to support a just energy transition. He also shared insights on the importance on investing in both reskilling and grid improvements, using the example of Quebec’s recent EV push as a success story: Quebec built EV charging stations across the province, even when they were unprofitable for private entry. As a result, 30% of new vehicle sales in Quebec are now zero-emissions vehicles.
Demonstrating U of T electric vehicle research expertise, Professor Olivier Trescases (Electrical and Computer Engineering) was joined by UTEV research students to provide insights on the state-of-the-art battery and power electronics lab. The group discussed multi-disciplinary industry and academic collaborations exploring energy management, energy storage, and advanced integrated power modules.
The group also toured U of T’s underground geoexchange system, which captures excess heat from campus buildings during the summer and stores it underground for use during the colder winter months, significantly reducing emissions. Scott Hendershot, Senior Manager at U of T’s Sustainability Office, explained how the geoexchange consists of more than 300 U-shaped pipes, each reaching a depth of 250 metres – about half the height of the CN Tower. The system collects excess heat from campus buildings during the summer via U of T’s heating and cooling network and stores it beneath Front Campus. In winter, that stored heat is returned to warm the buildings, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
A tour of the Grid Modernization Centre showcased how U of T is accelerating the integration of energy solutions into the grid and providing critical data to decision-makers involved in the transition, including generators, utilities, regulators, municipalities, OEMs and SMEs. Professor Ali Hooshyar, the Academic Lead of the Grid Modernization Centre, explained how the researchers work with these stakeholders to help grow their technologies in several areas of exploration that align with their technology roadmaps to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and solutions such as EV, charging infrastructure, renewable energy solutions, energy storage, electrolyzers, micro-grids, cybersecurity and protection and control devices.
Lawson Climate Institute extends its gratitude to the ministry for their interest and engagement, and we look forward to future opportunities to support Ontario’s energy sector in the transition to a cleaner, greener future.