Electrification of Energy Services: Achieving Deep Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions in Canada

In support of the University of Calgary’s Energy Research Strategy, Energy Innovations for Today and Tomorrow, the Office of the Vice-President (Research) is hosting a lunch and learn to discuss the Canadian Energy Research Institute’s (CERI) report on deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in Canada through electrification of energy services. Join us on Monday, Oct. 24 for lunch where Ganesh Doluweera, the director of Research for CERI, will share the economic and environmental implications of transforming to a electricity-dominant energy system. Abstract: An economy-wide transition from current energy end use fuel mix to a one dominated by electricity is seen as a viable option to satisfy future energy demands, while achieving deep greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Such a transition requires changing the existing infrastructure stock — vehicle fleets, buildings, and industrial equipment — across all sectors of the economy. Furthermore, it requires much larger electricity generation and transmission infrastructure than today. This transition would inevitably have significant economic impacts resulting from new investments, stranded assets, and changes to energy markets. The main research questions addressed in CERI’s study were: Is it technically feasible? What major transitions in energy systems are required? How much deeper are the emissions reductions that can be achieved through electrification of energy services? What would it cost? Speaker Ganesh Doluweera, director of Research at the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) Ganesh Doluweera has a strong interdisciplinary background in engineering, economics, and public policy. His primary research interests are in energy system modeling and analysis to inform energy and environment decisions. He obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Energy and Environmental Systems from the University of Calgary in 2011. His research work to date has focused on electric power system planning, large-scale wind power integration, carbon management of electric power systems, energy for rural development, life cycle assessments of energy systems, investments on energy infrastructure under uncertainty, emerging technology assessment, and energy infrastructure siting decisions. Before joining CERI in June 2015, Ganesh has worked at the University of Calgary as a graduate research assistant and a postdoctoral research fellow. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in energy and environmental systems at the University of Calgary. He has also worked with Light Up The World where he designed and developed solid state home lighting systems and coordinated projects that installed over 3000 rural home lighting systems in Sir Lanka. * This event is open to faculty, HQP, and staff. Lunch will be served. Register here.
Location:
Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) 349
More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/electrification-energy-services-achieving-deep-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reductions-canada