Projects and Programs
Featured projects
DER Modelling – Hydro One, NSERC and Mitacs
Presently, electric distribution systems accommodate a limited number of distributed energy resources (DERs), a number that is anticipated to surge dramatically in the next 25 years for a net-zero carbon emissions 2050 future. Within this framework, predicting and modelling numerous, small-scale, and intermittently operating DERs will pose a considerable challenge. Modelling of DERs includes solar, wind and hydroelectric generation as well as supplied loads. CUE developed a tool to forecast the integration of tens of thousands of DERs onto the Hydro One system. Work is progressing on the development of aggregate models to represent DERs at the distribution feeder level in the steady state and during transients. This will enhance the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid. The project is supported by funds from the joint NSERC Alliance and Mitacs Accelerate grant and Hydro One.
Dual Participation of Local Demand Response Resources – Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Toronto Hydro and Power Advisory LLC
CUE collaborated with Toronto Hydro and Power Advisory LLC, with support from the IESO Grid Innovation Fund and the Ontario Energy Board’s Innovation Sandbox, to identify solutions that will enable the utility to use the same demand response resources simultaneously to meet the capacity needs of both local and provincial grids. The overall goal of this program is to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainability and foster innovation.
Dynamic Reconfiguration and Feeder Power Management – Tata Power-DDL and Mitacs
Climate change concerns will drive the transition to deep electrification, leading to increased electric loads. This project develops methods and strategies for dynamic reconfiguration and feeder power management to address operational challenges that utilities such as Tata Power-DDL may encounter. The project is supported by funds from the Mitacs Accelerate grant and Tata Power-DDL.
Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub – Schneider Electric
CUE’s Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITH) is currently under development. It is the result of a long-standing, collaborative relationship between Schneider Electric and CUE, providing the tools to develop, test and optimize modern technologies and approaches while demonstrating savings in energy consumption, capital and operating expenses for buildings of all sizes. Under the supervision of professor Jenn McArthur and co-supervision of professors Bilal Farooq and Songnian Li, the lab will present opportunities for TMU students to “do cutting-edge, advanced research, and form the next generation of highly skilled personnel in the field.”
Study of Metering and Aggregation, and Electrification of Buildings – Toronto Community Housing (TCHC)
Committed to reducing energy consumption within their buildings, TCHC is partnered with CUE on a study to explore opportunities for metering, aggregation and electrification of TCHC’s heating systems across its portfolio of buildings.
2023 CUE Clean Energy Expo
The 2023 CUE Clean Energy Expo was held in February with an attendance of 70 guests. The event included presentations by Harneet Panesar, Chief Operating Officer of the Ontario Energy Board, Katherine Sparkes, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at IESO, and Cedric Tai, Staff Solutions Architect at GE Digital for DERMs. In addition, a ceremony was held for the Toronto Hydro student award recipients, and posters were presented by researchers and CEZ startup companies.
Energy Transition Workshops
CUE hosted an energy transition workshop series to build a large international consortium of academic and energy sector specialists. The objective is to foster collaboration on innovative solutions for the future energy system.
Recently completed projects
Energy Storage Software Development – Toronto Hydro
Amid the rapid evolution of the energy landscape, CUE developed methods to determine the optimum size of energy storage, improving scheduling, dispatching and utilization of energy resources. Together, these initiatives contribute to achieving sustainable growth.
Our Programs
The Professional Master’s Diploma in Energy and Innovation (part-time) program aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to function competently as operators, officers, administrators, managers, technicians, analysts, policy advisors and other key occupations in the fast-growing, rapidly evolving, dynamic Canadian Canadian energy sector.
The CEZ’s newest initiative, the Power Up Program, aims to tackle energy poverty and energy entrepreneurship poverty concurrently by providing financial support to high-potential student entrepreneurs with promising clean energy–based ideas in the form of full-time, four-month internships. The Power Up Program provides student entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to build scalable enterprises and bring their clean energy ventures to life.
Featured companies
Innovia GEO is focused on decarbonizing the heating and cooling of our buildings and homes by developing innovative technologies that make clean and efficient geothermal heating and cooling systems more affordable.
2023 Achievements
- Top 5 finalist at the Pivot2023 Global Geothermal Startup Competition
- Named to the Cleantech Group’s 2023 Cleantech 50 to Watch List
- Winner of the 2023 City of Burlington Economic Development Award for Excellence in Innovation & Technology
- Named a Deep Tech Pioneer by the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
Alphacor, a startup involved in energy and carbon reduction technologies, stands at the forefront of innovation with a clear mission: to dominate the energy and carbon management market by 2040. Alphacor’s flagship product, ecotapp, is a cloud-based web and mobile application for residential buildings that provides a simple, automated and engaging platform that incentivizes technical and non-technical users to participate in energy management and carbon reduction. It represents a holistic approach, seamlessly integrating technology to provide comprehensive carbon reduction and energy efficiency solutions.
2023 Achievements
- Winner of the Norman Esch Stage 2 Award
- Recipient of Mitacs research funding to research, develop and deploy machine learning models in ecotapp
Electric Autonomy Canada is an independent media and events company reporting on Canada’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous transportation and new mobility services. Its content showcases original journalism along with opinions and comments from industry leaders. It highlights Canadian innovation and facilitates knowledge sharing and best practices across diverse industry sectors and all levels of government.
2023 Achievements
- Launch of their first EV & Charging Expo over two days in May at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. Targeted at fleet operators and building owners who are investing in EVs and charging infrastructure, the event attracted over 1,500 attendees, over 60 exhibitors and 70 speakers across three stages, and 30 conference sessions. This event will now take place annually.
- Launch of the inaugural EV Innovation & Technology Conference in February in Toronto. Targeted at professionals developing advanced EV manufacturing technologies and EV supply chain innovations, the event attracted an attendance of over 220 people. It will now take place annually.
- Launch of the five-part EV Charging Webinar Series, which explored the issues and opportunities around the public EV charging experience in Canada.
- Development of a new “Jobs in Motion” job board to facilitate Canadians in finding EV-related jobs.
Have an Idea for an Urban Energy Startup?
The Clean Energy Zone (CEZ) is an industry-leading, campus-based incubator located at CUE. Since its inception, 55 startups have passed through CEZ, including million-dollar companies such as Peak Power and SWTCH.
Visit torontomu.ca/cue/cez today to find out how you can join the Clean Energy Zone.