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Canada renews support for Energy Modelling Hub

Natural Resources Canada has renewed its support for the Energy Modelling Hub (EMH) activities for a further four years beginning, providing $5 million to strengthen Canada’s capacity for transparent, evidence-based energy, climate and energy transition policy development and planning. The new mandate, Reinforcing Canadian Energy Modelling Capacities: Enhancing Tools and Expertise for Canada’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Sector, will be headquartered at the University of Calgary and delivered through a four-institution consortium: the University of Calgary, 91��ɫ, Polytechnique Montréal and the University of Victoria.

The four-year project is led by Associate Professor Blake Shaffer from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Professor Mark Winfield from the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at 91��ɫ, Associate Professor Madeleine McPherson from the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria, and Professor Normand Mousseau from the Institut de l’énergie Trottier at Polytechnique Montréal.

The renewed funding advances NRCan’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program’s (SREPs’) capacity building objectives. EMH supports these objectives by providing a national platform for enhanced collaboration and convening to connect policymakers, modellers and other stakeholders working on Canada’s clean-energy transition.

Through three targeted capacity-building activities, EMH addresses the real needs of end-users, fostering inclusivity, generating economic and social benefits, and supporting Canada’s shift toward a decarbonized, sustainable, affordable, reliable and equitable energy system. This includes strengthening open-source modelling tools, improving access to high-quality open data, and expanding user-centred knowledge sharing and training.

The renewed mandate positions EMH to build a pan-Canadian network of modellers, policymakers and experts working together to guide the transformation of Canada’s energy systems in the directions of decarbonization and sustainability. By linking analytical capacity across the country, EMH will help bridge the gap between data and policy, ensuring modelling informs responses to the most pressing energy challenges.

“This announcement demonstrates Canada's support for energy modellers as they address challenges and develop new insights on energy technologies and systems that can help Canada unlock the full potential of the workers, businesses and resources we have right here at home.” - Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson

“The University of Calgary is proud to serve as the host institution for the Energy Modelling Hub for the next four years. This is an important national institution, and its presence here reflects our longstanding leadership in energy research, policy, and innovation. We look forward to working closely with partners across the country to advance the Hub’s mission and help shape Canada’s energy future.” - Associate Professor Blake Shaffer, Department of Economics, University of Calgary

“The federal government’s renewed support to the Energy Modelling Hub will reinforce EMH’s capacity building work in support of evidence-based policy-making around energy, decarbonization, sustainability and energy systems transitions in Canada.” - Professor Mark Winfield, co-chair, Sustainable Sustainable Energy Initiative, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, 91��ɫ

“The Energy Modelling Hub provides tools and models that are essential to the Institut de l’énergie Trottier’s work at Polytechnique Montréal. Future editions of our Canadian Energy Outlook will greatly benefit from the expanding suite of resources now available. Beyond this, the Canadian government’s support reflects both a recognition of the strength of Canadian expertise and a commitment to amplifying its impact.” - Scientific Director Normand Mousseau, Institut de l’énergie Trottier at Polytechnique Montréal and Professor at Université de Montréal

“Charting Canadas energy transition is complex; modelling helps by exploring possible pathways and illuminating the most effective decisions. The EMH hosts is Canada's only open-source suite of integrated models, which together enable a comprehensive and transparent conversation about how to move forward. The highly collaborative work at the hub is a catalyst for our transition to a low-carbon, affordable, and reliable energy system.” - Associate Professor Madeleine McPherson, Civil Engineer and associate director, Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria