Energy in Action Archive
Recent Posts
Carbon-capturing material invented in Alberta could help industry reduce emissions and costs
Next-generation material offers advantages that could make it work at industrial scale, says U of A engineering researcher.
New mentorship program puts U of A graduates on path to careers in energy sector
A recent PhD grad and a mentor talk about their experiences and the mutual benefits of mentorship
Engineering experts, geothermal company partner on project to produce clean energy using captured carbon
Research in U of A facility and geothermal site could lead to made-in-Alberta solutions to reducing CO2.
AI-based method speeds discovery of materials that harvest electricity from wasted heat
New materials could harness energy from cellphones or body heat, and make solar and geothermal power generation more efficient.
Geothermal energy could be generated from captured CO2, study shows
Discovery that the technology is viable moves it a step closer to becoming part of a low-carbon economy, says researcher.
Getting involved in research with URI
From solar materials research to distributed energy generation, Future Energy Systems supports young researchers breaking new ground
Coal mining waste material more than 90 per cent effective at removing heavy metal
Nano humus works like a sponge that attaches to and holds cadmium, a common byproduct of mining, U of A research shows.
Hydrogen fuel cells get big boost with Canada-Germany partnership
UofA Engineering professor Marc Secanell one of the lead researchers on NSERC-funded hydrogen technologies initiative
U of A spinoff company could help unlock a lithium industry for Alberta
Innovative technology extracts the increasingly valuable metal from wastewater produced in existing oil and gas operations
Common logics in oil and gas
Understanding how organizations in the oil and gas sector have evolved over 80 years can help shape future directions for energy systems
Algorithms for fairness and control in energy systems
New energy sources and demands are putting fierce new pressures on our energy grid and, without adaptation, our access is at risk
Researchers brewing up better ways to turn plant waste into ethanol
Biorefining process also creates high-value cellulose nanocrystals with several industrial applications
Project to create jet fuel from biowaste gets federal funding boost
Industrial project based on innovative U of A research could provide a supply of renewable fuel while creating a new market for Alberta agricultural and food producers
Researchers are refining recipes for biochar that benefits industry and the environment
Product produced from agricultural and forestry waste has uses ranging from reclaiming wastewater to capturing carbon and decontaminating soil
Nanotechnology innovation in water recycling could significantly reduce industrial use of freshwater
Advance in water filtration technology has applications everywhere from the energy industry and agriculture to municipal water treatment
The true costs of hydroelectric power, now and in the future
Hydropower is Canada’s biggest electricity supplier, but high cost overruns mean its future market share may lose out against other renewables
Untangling the web of model behaviours
Understanding the future of energy systems brings together technology, environment, policy, and society - and it’s only getting more complex
Guiding the way
Engaging the next generation matters, which is why Future Energy Systems, WISEST, and Cybermentor came together to create a new Girl Guides STEM challenge
Calibrating community spirit and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions
Future Energy Systems researchers Neelakshi Joshi and Nilusha Welegedara are uncovering the role communities can play in enabling the energy transition
Renewing a Global Energy Research Partnership
Tsinghua University and the University of Alberta renew clean energy research partnership
U of A researchers leading new charge in battery research
Redox flow battery technology has promising applications for storing energy from renewable sources.
Crossing the technology ‘valley of death’
GreenSTEM fellows Bing Cao and Zhongyi Quan are embracing entrepreneurship to ensure their work will benefit society
Canadian Wind Turbine Database shows us where the wind power in Canada comes from
Future Energy Systems student William Noel spearheaded effort now being released by Natural Resources Canada
Putting wind in our sails
Future Energy Systems researchers queried rural Alberta landowners to find out why wind power isn’t breezing into widespread use –– and learned how to propel it further
Collaborative co-design could be key to better environmental decision-making: study
More communicative public engagement style on complex environmental issues leads to best outcomes when science, economics, and social factors are all weighed
Capturing attention by capturing carbon
Energy Talk by Arvind Rajendran describes how we can increase our society’s capacity for carbon capture
We can't afford to forget the north
Future Energy Systems researchers are demonstrating how energy systems are connected to social issues and homelessness in northern Indigenous communities
Solutions for oil wells and society
Future Energy Systems researcher Juliana Leung is using subsurface engineering to find a social solution for our oil addiction
Energy Talks shares learning on current affairs
Future Energy Systems researcher Dr. Hao Tian explains alternating and direct currents and how they affect our electrical grid in July's Energy Talk with the Edmonton Public Library
Improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions would save money for oilsands producers: study
Researchers looked at 15 strategies that would decrease sector’s energy use intensity, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and found increased profits from all of them.
Finding common ground on climate change
Future Energy Systems Principal Investigator Arman Hemmati talks about the facts of Climate Change during TEDx UAlberta
In the age of COVID-19, can Alberta transition to a more sustainable economy?
University of Alberta economic and business experts weigh in.
U of A ranked among world’s top energy research universities
University of Alberta lands in top 50 in three energy-related subjects—including eighth in petroleum engineering—in updated QS rankings.
Investing in green future easier said than done for Alberta, say economists
Capitalizing on an educated workforce and taking a hard look at taxation would help the province diversify its post-pandemic economy, according to two U of A experts.
Scientists develop paper-based sensors for carbon dioxide
New sensor has potential applications for smart buildings and industry.
Faster tools we all need
Machine learning will accelerate carbon capture technology development - and more
U of A economists see COVID-19 as global problem in our backyard
From policy responses to implications on the global scale, researchers are closely watching an unprecedented pandemic.
What’s certain about (caribou) death and taxes?
Future Energy Systems HQP Zhanji Zhang focused his Masters on using economics to try to save the caribou, and the answer may lie in avoiding taxes
Director's Message: COVID-19
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
Don’t oversimplify conversations about how we power our lives
When we recognize that energy systems completely influence every aspect of our lives, it becomes more difficult to argue that we can simply change nothing at all, or everything at once.
Energy Talks connects communities to the realities of energy systems
Yesterday, Future Energy Systems Masters students Andrea Miller and Sonak Patel connected communities with energy, in more ways than one.
Getting the Research to the Real World
If a researcher speaks and no one hears it, does their work still make an impact?
Shining different lights on photocatalysis
Future Energy Systems researcher Karthik Shankar leads a group of engineers looking at light-powered conversions, from a few different angles
Major investment from Shell helps U of A biofuel spinoff company build commercial-scale production plant
New facility is expected to produce 25 million litres of renewable biofuels annually.
Applying the scientific method to labour markets
After years of working on labour markets during energy booms and busts, Future Energy Systems economist Joseph Marchand is expanding his focus to include energy transitions
Future Energy Systems and Edmonton Public Library launch new lecture series
Energy Talks will bring UAlberta's latest energy research to libraries across Edmonton
Are microchips a good metaphor for energy?
Is exponential progress in energy technology a guarantee?
Newly developed screening processes will help accelerate carbon capture research
Future Energy Systems researchers are helping make carbon capture more efficient, screening 120,000 carbon capturing solids in hours –– instead of thousands of years.
New technique could accelerate waste-to-methane production
Future Energy Systems researchers find ways to turn waste fat, oil and grease into a supply of renewable energy
Art exhibition explores energy futures
Future Energy Systems art exhibition asks visitors to speculate about an energy future for everyone
Polarizing language creating gridlock in energy debate
Lightening up and avoiding hot-button labels could foster more rational discussion of Canada’s energy future, says engineering professor trained in rhetorical analysis.
Together for the challenge
Viola Birss and Jingli Luo had been collaborating for years when the UAlberta-UCalgary CFREF partnership gave them the chance to go big on carbon capture and utilization
Future Energy Systems at SPARK 2019
Emissions Reducation Alberta hosts SPARK conference, 'Carbon+'
New technique could help decontaminate oil sands waste water
Method developed by U of A engineering researchers removes one of the main toxins in water used for bitumen extraction
Inviting diversity can improve research outcomes
Gendered Innovations founder Dr. Londa Schiebinger visits the University of Alberta for an event co-hosted by the Energy Systems signature area
Research is to help people
Future Energy Systems Post-Doctoral Fellow Gloria Okpala has studied on three continents, and hopes to use research to make a better world
After energy, reclaim the land
Land Reclamation International Graduate School enters new era with Emerald Award
Cooperating to advance global energy systems
Tsinghua University researchers visit the University of Alberta to discuss joint energy research projects
Don’t underrate undergraduate research
Inclusivity at every level is vital in pushing research forward
Students prepare for the complexity of energy transition
Future Energy Systems students join international counterparts at ABBY-Net summer school to develop interdisciplinary energy transition solutions
Knowing each other's energy
Future Energy Systems geothermal research ranges from mechanical engineering to anthropology –– and it’s all connected.
Falling Walls Lab 2019 impresses with breakthrough research
For Makenzie MacKay, Marina Lazic, and Bandita Deka Kalita, three minutes on stage could be enough time to change the world
Federal funding propels U of A researcher’s project turning biowaste into jet fuel
Bioresource scientist David Bressler’s work among 23 projects receiving $27 million from Western Economic Diversification Canada.
New funding to probe interfacial properties
Future Energy Systems researcher and Canada Research Chair Hongbo Zeng receives new CFI funding for interfacial properties research
Hybrid geothermal power plant being built in Swan Hills
Future Energy Systems scientists partner with Razor Energy to retrofit geothermal energy onto an existing oil and gas battery
Why meeting researchers really matters
Future Energy Systems research personnel gain skills and battle misinformation through public outreach.
Community energy big renewable opportunity for rural Canada
U of A project could inspire municipalities, landowners and Indigenous communities
Spinning up electric buses
Flywheels could charge City of Edmonton electric buses faster, changing the way sustainable transit is powered in Canada and around the world
Study of microbes essential to help solve climate change problems, say scientists
Microorganisms play critical role in climate change, both producing and consuming greenhouse gases, argues Future Energy Systems researcher.
Renewable energy projects must benefit the people who live next to them
U of A researchers discuss options for Alberta’s energy future at sold-out Calgary Central Library event
Celebrating UAlberta Energy Week
Future Energy Systems personnel help launch the University of Alberta's new Energy Systems signature area
Signature area will build on U of A expertise in current and future energy sources
University launches ‘Energy Systems’ bringing together 500 experts to drive research and teaching.
Wireless sensors, wireless power
Future Energy Systems researcher Pedram Mousavi and his team are leveraging their smart home technologies to make energy production more efficient
From key strengths to global excellence
Last week Future Energy Systems hosted administrators from 18 programs funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund
UAlberta hosts the fourth FES-GRI Joint Research Workshop
Working together for a better energy future
Giving pipelines some teeth
Future Energy Systems Principal Investigator Arman Hemmati conducts renewable energy research while seeking to reduce the GHG emissions from bitumen pipelines
Boots on common ground
Future Energy Systems PhD students Maggie Cascadden and Kylie Heales are researching ways to bring companies and communities together on environmental projects
Eleven Future Energy Systems researchers awarded new government funding
Alberta Innovates has announced that 34 projects will receive $25.1 million through the Government of Alberta's Climate Change Innovation and Technology Framework
Guest Blog: Petrocultures 2018
Special guest post from the research team working in the Future Energy Systems Energy Humanities theme.
First Indigenous woman to graduate with PhD in engineering from U of A finds true calling
Oilsands remediation expert Chelsea Benally fulfils lifelong dream to help the environment after being sidetracked.
Machine learning in Ghana
Future Energy Systems Post-Doctoral Fellow Lawrence Adutwum is sharing his machine learning expertise on two continents
Shaping the Future of Energy at Berlin Science Week
FES researchers participate in internationally-renowned event to promote science and the future of energy
Future Energy Systems One: A Plasma Car Story
A totally serious account of how the Future Energy Systems administrative team participated in the University of Alberta’s United Way Plasma Car Derby
Director M. Anne Naeth awarded the University Cup
Highest honour available at the University of Alberta bestowed for outstanding teaching, research, and service
Standing room only at the second annual Future Energy Systems Open House
Breaking down the barriers between disciplines was the theme of the second annual Future Energy Systems Open House.
Around the world in 120 days: One student’s quest to bring renewable energy technology back home
U of A master’s student travels the world to learn more about how to bring geothermal technology to Canada.
Bring back the bugs
Future Energy Systems PhD candidate Stephanie Chute-Ibsen is heading to Berlin to pitch a new perspective on land reclamation
Breaking down the walls of energy
Future Energy Systems was well-represented last night at the fifth annual UAlberta Falling Walls Lab –– one of the only competitions of its kind in Canada.
Exploring Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Technology
Technology from oilsands waste could help support grid and store energy
Future Energy Systems partners with NAIT, ATCO, and Siemens for Distributed Energy Management Initiative
Two Future Energy Systems research teams will utilize cutting-edge NAIT facility
Machine learning, and how it helps make discoveries much more quickly
Future Energy Systems Investigators use new methods to accelerate research
Open Doors: Ultra-Low Temperature Stirling Engines for Geothermal Energy
Second Open Doors Lab entices all to learn about mechanical engineering research
M. Anne Naeth named new Director of Future Energy Systems
Award-winning land reclamation professor appointed as next leader of $75-million UAlberta research initiative
All we can reclaim
The importance and impacts of energy have shaped the life and career of newly-named Future Energy Systems Director M. Anne Naeth
Seven new joint energy projects with Tsinghua University
U of A researchers will receive funding to send students to China’s leading research intensive university
Open Doors: Genetically-engineered bacteria for biofuels
Tours of lab spaces allow FES researchers and HQP to explore new areas of energy systems research
Future Energy Systems at the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium
Two FES HQP bring home prizes for best presentation
Leaving Future Energy Systems
Director Larry Kostiuk and HQP Alex Hunt followed different paths from the Northwest Territories to Future Energy Systems. Now they’re both moving on.
Assessing energy technologies over lunch
Second Future Energy Systems Lunch and Learn examined technology viability
Can’t stop the engines
Technology that could generate emissions-free power from Alberta’s geothermal reservoirs is full of lessons for Future Energy Systems graduate students
Machine learning over lunch
Advancing research, while you eat
Decontaminate your water with... chicken feathers
University of Alberta researchers who used chicken feathers to remove arsenic from water are now targeting contamination from current and future energy technologies
Future energy storage turns on flywheel technology
Perhaps one of the most vexing challenges in energy systems is energy storage. We have unlimited power from wind, the sun, and mighty rivers—but despite major advances in recent decades, our energy storage technology is still insufficient.
How to pipeline straw for biofuels
Researchers find a way to ship straw and lumber through pipelines
Using artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic to help plan the future of energy
Aminah Robinson Fayek’s research will help planners make informed decisions about the future of energy.
Smarter engines, cleaner fuels
On exchange in Germany, Future Energy Systems HQP David Gordon is developing control systems that could make renewable fuels more practical in our vehicle engines
How bacteria could help turn a potent greenhouse gas into renewable fuel
UAlberta technology could recycle methane emissions and reduce hydrocarbon extraction
There’s more than enough solar power to meet our energy needs: the problem is storing it
Future Energy Systems scientists’ work on solar fuels may help solve storage problems
Carbon capture and storage could still play a major role in mitigating emissions
U of A researchers are studying the challenging technology and finding options for captured carbon.
Understanding how society will change as we move to renewable energy sources
University of Alberta researchers are imagining how society will change after hydrocarbons are replaced with renewable energy.
Future Energy Systems on the 2018 Earth Hour Race
Supporting Earth Hour and raising awareness
Why the future of global energy is local
With no one-size-fits-all energy source, the transition from fossil fuels to renewables may look different from region to region.
Standing Room Only
More than 200 people participated in the first annual Future Energy Systems Research Symposium
Leaving bacteria behind
Future Energy Systems student Catherine Tays will graduate this year with a PhD in both Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences
Controlling the wind (turbines)
How can we make sure the electricity generated by wind farms is compatible, reliable and efficient?
Leveraging the Technology Platform Partnership
Professors from Fraunhofer Society of Germany visit University of Alberta
New technology will help natural gas producers sell electricity to the grid
Future Energy Systems Researcher Ryan Li is partnering with companies and utilities to reduce emissions and open the electricity market to gas field producers
They ask, machines answer
Machine learning enables Future Energy Systems researchers to reach past traditional boundaries and speed the process of discovery
Global issues, global points of view
Understanding why people do – or don't – adopt new energy technologies is the job for an international team of graduate students
Partners in Energy
When it comes to energy research, the Universities of Alberta and Calgary are leaders in Canada -- and the world.
Students are our First Priority
In January we will begin profiling the Highly Qualified Personnel at the heart of the Future Energy Systems program
Hitting emissions targets will take more than energy efficiency, says researcher
Efficient furnaces, appliances and lighting offer best energy-smart options for consumers.
Designing Practical Solutions for Tailings Ponds
Mohamed Gamal El-Din receives 2017 ASTech award for work on active and passive water reclamation systems
Behind the Scenes: iDoc and Future Energy Systems
Energy Humanities project will capture the perspectives of Future Energy Systems participants
Molecular handshakes for bitumen and tailings cleanup
Newly-named Canada Research Chair Hongbo Zeng is making polymers stick to contaminants at the molecular level
The design and impacts of resilient climate change policy
When energy systems change, policy matters.
International research partnership brings new bio-energy technology to Alberta
UAlberta establishes Technology Platform partnership with Germany’s Fraunhofer Society
More than 200 attend Future Energy Systems Inaugural Open House
Yesterday, Future Energy Systems hosted an inaugural Open House showcasing more than 40 posters from its research program.
New $2.5 million investment in UAlberta smart grid lab
Professor Ryan Li receives CFI funding to develop smart grid technology
A new phase in the China-Canada energy research partnership
Future Energy System researchers work with visiting Tsinghua University delegation
Future Energy Systems welcomes German delegation from the Helmholtz Association
Members of the Future Energy Systems research group played an important role during the visit of a delegation from the Helmholtz Association to the University of Alberta this week.
Solving the energy crisis, one carbon dioxide molecule at a time
UAlberta chemist on the hunt for new and innovative fuels
Bacteria key to turning oil and gas emissions into biofuels
UAlberta microbiologists work to close the loop on Alberta’s legacy energy system
Bringing efficient solar cells closer to reality
Chemist Arthur Mar is using the power of machine learning to better harness the sun’s power
Pilot project in geothermal energy comes to Hinton, AB
Alternative energy systems the next hottest thing in Alberta
Searching for the secret of the 24-hour solar cell
Chemists looking at wide variety of materials to power a low carbon world
Geophysicsts go underground to investigate the future for geothermal energy
Hot water is additional key to drive oil-and-gas-driven economy out of hot water
Exploring worldwide energy systems change
First Future Energy Systems conference examines global energy transition
Just the Beginning
Funding for the University of Alberta's $75-million Future Energy Systems research initiative was announced one year ago
Starting from Scratch
Funding the low carbon transition
David Brown and Andrew Eckert receive Future Energy Systems research grants
Funding announcement: Department of Economics
Chinese partnerships bolster energy and environment research, economic diversification
UAlberta partners with Tsinghua University to create Joint Research Centre for Future Energy and Environment during recent Alberta mission.
UAlberta awarded $75 million for energy research
Government of Canada investment establishes the Future Energy Systems Research Institute