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A pair of researchers at UPEI鈥檚 School of Sustainable Design Engineering have been awarded funding from to develop a detailed technical framework for PEI鈥檚 electrical system to increase renewable energy integration and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. With $150,000 from Mitacs Accelerate and the PEI Energy Corporation, Dr. Matthew Hall and Dr. Andrew Swingler will hire three graduate students and begin building a 鈥渞oadmap鈥� towards making PEI鈥檚 energy system 100 per cent carbon free.

鈥淧rince Edward Island has a significant amount of renewable energy generation in the form of wind energy,鈥� said Dr. Hall, an assistant professor at UPEI鈥檚 School of Sustainable Design Engineering (SSDE). 鈥淏ut we are also heavily dependent on less clean electricity coming across the Northumberland Strait from New Brunswick.鈥�

Moving toward a carbon-free system isn鈥檛 just about adding more wind and solar capacity, explains Dr. Hall. Further growth in renewable energy is constrained by intermittency of the power generation and storage costs.

鈥淎t the same time, we have new technologies coming online that will increase our power usage,鈥� said Dr. Swingler, an associate professor of sustainable energy systems at the SSDE. 鈥淓lectric vehicles and new heating technologies mean we鈥檒l be using more electricity, not less. And the idea is that ultimately all our electricity comes from carbon-free sources.鈥�

The team will work with the PEI Energy Corporation, which will provide essential data, knowledge of the market, and networks of industry expertise.

鈥淧rince Edward Island is a leader in wind energy and well positioned for leadership in emerging renewable energies,鈥� said Heather MacLeod, Energy Assets Manager at the PEI Energy Corporation. 鈥淲e are pleased to partner with the 69传媒鈥檚 School of Sustainable Design Engineering on this important research.鈥� 

The project will build a simulation-modelling tool for the PEI electrical system to explore a range of renewable energy integration solutions. It will assess the demand response and energy storage potential in PEI, and how they can be best leveraged. The team will also analyse the rising role of electrical vehicles in the PEI system, including impact on electricity load. The final goal is to lay out pathways toward 100 per cent  renewable electricity supply for the Island.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to happen,鈥� said Dr. Swingler. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got our eyes on the prize. We鈥檙e looking towards a carbon-free energy system. 鈥�

Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 18 years. Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.

The 69传媒 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�69传媒has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 69传媒is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.