Innovation Profile: UOIT Renewable Energy Research
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology's Thermal Energy Storage System is Canada's leading geothermal energy installation and is at the heart of the university's research into renewable energy. In addition to geothermal, UOIT's energy research includes leadership in areas as diverse as solar, hydrogen, wind turbines, and smaller, more energy-efficent engines. Read full profile below.
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Dr Kamiel Gabriel | Bruce Bunker Director, Special Projects UOIT |
One of North America's Most Powerful Geothermal Energy Installations
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology's Thermal Energy Storage System is Canada's leading geothermal energy installation. Comprised of 400 boreholes drilled 35 stories deep, the system is powerful enough to cool or heat the equivalent of 1,000 homes.
"Our geothermal system is the second largest in North America and is capable of delivering 8 megawatts of energy," says Dr Kamiel Gabriel, Associate Provost of Research at UOIT, "It is also a large laboratory."
UOIT's geothermal energy system is at the centre of the university's research into renewable energy. For a new Ontario university located just a few kilometres from the Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations, a commitment to world-class energy research is only logical. Add in the Government of Ontario's promise to generate 10% of the province's energy capacity from renewable sources by 2010 and the potential benefits for the environment and the economy are clear.
"Our philosophy is that we should link our faculty directly with the corporate partners in the community. On a typical day, you'll find somebody from GM, GE or Enbridge walking on our campus and discussing their particular needs for research with our faculty," says Dr Gabriel.
In addition to geothermal, UOIT's energy research includes leadership in areas as diverse as solar, hydrogen, wind turbines, and smaller, more energy-efficent engines. One project combines solar panels and sound barriers on Ontario highways. The panels generate clean power for local merchants and residents while the barriers keep out the noise.
The university is also studying consumer usage patterns to better understand how to develop more user-friendly technologies and energy conservation programs. One research project monitors energy usage in over 300 homes in the Oshawa area. Combined with interviews of the residents, researchers are uncovering the essential factors that companies and governments must consider in order to enable consumers to reduce their energy usage.
For Dr Gabriel, there is an obvious connection between UOIT's proximity to Ontario's nuclear energy leaders, the university's green commitment on campus, and the impressive leadership of its energy research.
"Energy was a big part of the birth of this institution. When the university was opened in 2002, the founding fathers felt it was important that they build an institution that walks the talk. So, as we move to become pre-eminent in renewable energy research, the university is also showing by example how to be truly green."
© 2010 Toronto Region Research Alliance