Alternative Pathways for the Energy Transition
APEX
Climate change is the defining challenge of our century. Responding to it requires rapid, deep, and sustainable decarbonization of the global energy system.
Our group of interdisciplinary engineers is devoted to accelerating the transition to a deeply decarbonized energy system in Canada and across the world.
Our research advances key methods in systems engineering; mechanical design; power systems; machine learning; optimization; process modelling; and quantitative risk and decision analysis. In each of our projects, we develop decarbonization pathways that are not only techno-economically viable, but also socio-politically feasible. We integrate insights from public policy and behavioural science to optimize the design and deployment of engineered energy systems.
We are always seeking highly motivated researchers to join our group. Please reach out once you have read our Research page to better understand the methods we develop and the interdisciplinary perspective we adopt.
News
Hydrogen microgrids in the North
Most remote and northern communities in Canada rely on diesel for their electrical and thermal energy needs. Communities and governments are working toward diesel exit …
Direct air capture with solid sorbents
New work published by researchers in the APEX group builds an open-source model of direct air capture (DAC) technologies that employ solid sorbents. The research, …
Explaining the need for battery energy storage in Ottawa
Professor Schell was interviewed by Stu Mills of CBC Ottawa to explain the need for battery energy storage systems in the Ontario power grid, and …
Hydropower prediction using a new Physics-informed neural network
In conjunction with the Marine Renewable Energy Technology group at Natural Resources Canada, and the Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering group at the National Research …
Opportunity to participate in survey on future energy options
Voice your Opinions on Energy for the Future We are looking for volunteers for a study on energy options for La Ronge and surrounding communities. …
SMRs: “Grid saviors or billion-dollar blunders?”
A group of four experts in small modular reactors, including Professor Ahmed Abdulla, were recently interviewed by POLITICO’s Energywire to discuss the economic, regulatory, and …