On August 15, 2024, Climate Positive Energy (CPE) was pleased to welcome more than 150 guests to our annual Research Day project showcase event and celebration. The third annual iteration of Research Day presented an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and industry partners from Toronto and beyond to gather and learn key insights on CPE projects as well as advancements in the clean technology and decarbonization sectors. Sessions featured industry leaders in conversation with University of Toronto research experts to shed light on how CPE activity is supporting the transition to a net-zero future.
During opening remarks, Professor David Sinton, Academic Director at CPE, announced to audiences that the CPE Institutional Strategic Initiative will continue to operate for an additional three years: “I am happy to announce today that because of the work of our research team, and the engagement from everyone who is in the room today, CPE has received support to extend operations for another three years. It will come as no surprise that we will be using this time to advance decarbonization, strengthen the electrical grid, support the just energy transition, and train the next generation of climate leaders.” The sessions at Research Day supported these key areas of activity.
Faisal Kazi, President and CEO of Siemens Canada, shared key insights on topics including artificial intelligence and digital twinning, electrification of the grid, and production technologies in a keynote titled From Grey to Green: Transforming Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future.
CPE members Fiona Miller, Ian Hamilton, and Nelson Lee explored the intersections between climate change and healthcare in a panel moderated by Blake Poland. Panelists discussed the risks and opportunities for health in vulnerable populations, and how communities and health systems can support greater resilience and inclusive societies.
On the heels of a $10M federal funding announcement to support a CPE-led grid modernization project, Professor Ali Hooshyar joined CPE Executive Director Shatha Qaqish-Clavering in a fireside chat to discuss opportunities for strong and resilient grid systems. The discussion also provided key insights into the U of T Grid Modernization Centre, which will soon allow opportunities for student and industry engagement.
UTSC’s Grace Nosek joined Sharene Shafie from the City of Toronto in a second fireside chat, moderated by Alison Mountz, Vice-Principal Research & Innovation at UTSC. The discussion shed light on CPE’s partnership with the City of Toronto on the development of a city-wide youth engagement strategy, designed to enable youth-led leadership with an equity lens in climate action in Toronto. The report, which will be ready later this year, will detail how the project supported the implementation of the city’s TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy.
CPE researchers Olivier Trescases, Khandker Nurul Habib, and Gisele Azimi shared insights on their various projects supporting a greener transportation sector in a discussion moderated by Cara Clairman, CEO of Plug’n Drive. With transportation accounting for roughly a fifth of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, the discussion emphasized the need for supporting the growth of electric vehicle (EV) technology in the coming decade through policy changes, energy storage and battery technologies, and charging infrastructure.
Hisham Omara, Vice President of Grid Modernization at Alectra, joined in on a conversation with Bonnie Hiltz of Sussex Strategy to discuss the future of electricity and how utility providers and regulators can rethink transmission design to reduce fossil-fuel reliance while balancing increasing demands. The discussion was moderated by Payam Zahedi, Director of UTM’s Office of the Vice-Principal, Research.
The day ended with a celebration of CPE-funded student researchers sharing updates and progress on their projects, as well as their plans for climate-centred careers. Speaking to CPE’s Sayyeda Masood, awardees Diego Arreola Fernandez, Amélie Desroches, Matthew Edghill, Nina-Francesca Farac, and Hugo Cordeau emphasized the importance of CPE funding in helping them to advance progress on their research, build critical career skills, and help shape a greener future.
CPE Research Day 2024 also welcomed partners to share information about important projects and opportunities as part of the event: Bereskin and Parr LLP, MITACS, Ontario Centre of Innovation, Plug’n Drive, and City of Toronto.
We extend our gratitude to all speakers, volunteers, and guests who joined us and helped make our sold-out Research Day event a success. We look forward to welcoming you back!
If you are interested in connecting with a specific speaker or participating in future CPE events, please contact info@cpe.utoronto.ca.