Three universities unite to find energy solutions

In an unprecedented collaboration, the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Lethbridge have launched a bold initiative to help manage Canada’s vital energy resources—including educating the next generation of energy and environmental innovators.

The three universities recently agreed to create Canada’s School of Sustainable Energy. It is a unique and shared vision, focused on finding solutions to some of the country’s biggest challenges. The school’s goal is to ensure that Canadians continue to benefit from secure, competitive energy supplies, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. “No one institution holds all of the answers,” says U of C president Harvey Weingarten. “By working together and focusing our research and education efforts, we can jointly develop large-scale, long-term solutions.”

The School of Sustainable Energy promotes sound energy development and economic growth, and it contributes to the environmental health of our society and global community. Combined, the three Alberta universities have hundreds of energy innovators and researchers and tens of millions of dollars invested in this area, where Canada—because of its plentiful and secure energy supplies—enjoys a global competitive advantage. “This critical mass of the brightest minds with specialized skills is unmatched in Canada, if not the world,” says Weingarten.
The school has identified several strategic priorities: development of cleaner, cheaper, and more energy-efficient oilsands production methods; clean coal technology; systems to manage carbon emissions and water; and cost-effective alternative energy sources.

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