Canadian Net-Zero Energy Solutions
Advancing New Technologies and Solutions to Address Climate Change
The need for cost-effective, sustainable and reliable energy has never been more urgent.
Building on successes in Future Energy Systems and with initial partner commitments of $101 M (as of April 2024), the Canadian Net-Zero Energy Solutions (CANZES) initiative brings together five critical and interconnected research areas to drive CO2 emissions reductions and diversify Alberta’s economy.
By harnessing a network of academic, industry, government and community partners, the University of Alberta will speed the development, testing and commercialization of new energy solutions that meet Canada’s energy needs while achieving our emissions goals.
Key Outcomes
The CANZES initiative seeks the following outcomes for Alberta, Canada and the world:
- Support development and scale-up of innovative new technologies for a low carbon economy
- Advance critical research that industry alone cannot fund
- Develop a suite of energy solutions for different contexts
- Cultivate a highly-skilled workforce to enable the deployment of existing and emerging technologies
- Leverage existing support and investment in a collaborative network
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H2
Hydrogen
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Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage
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Critical Minerals
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Resilient Electrical Grids for Sustainable Energy and Zero Emissions Vehicles
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Land and Water Reclamation
“Finding and implementing solutions to climate change requires collaboration and partnerships on a global scale.”
Bill Flanagan,
President & Vice-Chancellor
Interdisciplinary approach
CANZES brings together five research themes in a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, providing a path forward to solving some of the greatest climate and energy challenges Canada faces as we advance our net-zero emissions goals. Our approach responds to significant industry demand – in Alberta and beyond – to find affordable, scalable and readily implementable ways to move toward the production and use of more sustainable energy technologies and processes.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen will play a key role in Canada’s energy leadership and global decarbonization. The U of A has a comprehensive, credible and robust hydrogen research program and is well-positioned to develop the key advances in production, transportation, storage, and utilization needed for the expansion of hydrogen energy.
Carbon Capture, Utilization + Storage
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), essential with blue hydrogen, offer an additional critical solution toward reducing CO2 emissions and the commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. U of A expertise in point-source and direct air capture, geological storage and CO2 utilization will be essential for developing next-generation technologies to support blue hydrogen production and hard-to-abate industries.
Critical Minerals
As a clean energy fuel, hydrogen will play a key role in Canada’s energy leadership and global decarbonization. The U of A has a comprehensive, credible and robust hydrogen research program and is well-positioned to develop the key advances in production, transportation, storage, and utilization needed for the expansion of hydrogen energy.
Resilient Electrical Grids for Sustainable Energy + Zero Emissions Vehicles
Resilient and flexible electric grids are key to integrating renewable energy, energy storage, and today’s industrial, commercial and residential loads – including in remote and Indigenous communities. Researchers at the U of A are developing technological advances that contribute to a new generation of electric grids that are both more resilient to disturbances and more economically competitive.
Land + Water Reclamation
As energy systems evolve, new tools will be required to measure and address the environmental impacts of both new and legacy technologies. At the U of A, work in this area provides rapid accurate and cost-effective monitoring, mitigation, remediation and reclamation technologies and processes.
“By partnering with academic, industry, community and government experts locally, nationally and across the globe, we are bringing about the next generation of energy solutions.”
Aminah Robinson Fayek,
Vice-President (Research and Innovation)