Development of the Digitization of Building and Community Electrification Platform
Project overview
A collaborative research program between researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University and Concordia, this project aims to advance the digitization of electrification platforms suitable for grid-friendly applications in buildings and communities.
The research will focus on creating simplified models for renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), thermal, hybrid PVT collectors, heat pumps, batteries and electric vehicles.
The project was inspired by the recognition that Canada's two largest energy-consuming sectors are building construction and power generation --- with the building sector alone accounting for more than 50 per cent of total electricity consumption.
Key project details
| Principal investigator | Alan Fung, Associate Professor, Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Co-principal investigators | Caroline Hachem-Vermette, associate professor, Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University; Jenn McArthur, associate chair, Graduate Studies, Project Management, Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Research collaborators | Bala Venkatesh, Atefeh Mashatan, Wey Leong, Abbas Ghasemi, Naima Cherchem, Julia Aman |
| Non-academic partners | National Research Council, Independent Electricity System Operator, Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, S2E Technologies, Schneider Electric, Enbridge Gas Distribution and Natural Resources Canada |
| Research keywords | Digitization, electrification platform, smart dual fuel switching system, hybrid system, smart thermostat, IoT, nano-grid, micro-grid, model predictive control, transactive control |
| Budget | Cash: $400,000 In-Kind: $425,000 |
Research focus
Dual fuel switching system
Creating a Smart Dual Fuel Switching System for a hybrid heating system that uses both an air source heat pump and a fossil-fuel furnace. This system aims to save energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using locally generated sustainable power.
Renewable energy
Developing advanced control methods for solar communities to use as much locally generated renewable energy as possible and decrease reliance on the regional power grid.
5th generation energy network
Working on a 5th generation energy network (5GDHC) for solar communities that includes seasonal thermal energy storage. This innovative approach provides a reliable and eco-friendly solution for meeting long-term energy needs.
Non-academic partners
Thank you to our non-academic partners for your support and trust.
