Integrated investigation of energy transition pathways for the Arctic: Application of a pan-Canadian MESSAGE model for distributed off-grid communities

This work will address the gaps of previous studies undertaken for the Arctic by developing energy model framework that incorporates uncertainty in prices, technology performance and variations in renewable resources caused by climate change. Expected results of the research might be identifying cost-effective risk hedging strategies that account for multiple and overlapping uncertainties within the energy model or from other sources. Model outputs might also inform higher-level policy analysis on implementing pan-Canadian carbon pricing among Northern communities in Canada. Further, appropriate temporal resolution can also be determined in doing energy system model optimization while addressing uncertainties that can be associated with the variability of renewable resources. Overall, I envision this project to be a platform that collaborates with Indigenous communities in their continuing aspiration to coexist with their ancestral lands while maintaining environmental and economic sustainability.

Faculty Supervisor:

Curran Crawford

Student:

Partner:

Mälardalen University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Green/Alternative Energy; Aboriginal Affairs; Energy and Utilities

University:

University of Victoria

Program: