Energy Systems

Transitioning to a sustainable energy future

Despite having excellent tidal, wind and solar thermal potential, Nova Scotia is still largely dependent on fossil fuels imported from foreign countries, and as a result, we are energy insecure. Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of the need to shift our energy systems to more renewable sources—and you could be part of making that happen.

Energy systems research at SRES looks at the socio-economic, technical and policy implications of achieving a sustainable energy future.  This involves:

• understanding the social and cultural acceptability of issues around renewable energy implementation
  • For example: Wind turbines are great, just not in my backyard.
     
• supporting more sustainable energy use within our industries
  
  • For example: What sustainable energy options are viable for Canadian manufacturers?
     
• understanding the enabling factors and barriers to renewable energy implementation from a community’s perspective
  • For example: How do we get buy-in from the community?
    

Play a role in a more sustainable energy future

As a graduate student, you will help identify points of tension around renewable energy implementation, and start laying the groundwork for respectfully and appropriately dealing with them from a social, technical and political perspective.

Here are just a few examples of the many energy systems projects you could be involved in:

• identifying GHG reductions resulting from government energy efficiency programs
• making policy recommendations for renewable electricity development
• exploring eco-efficiency in the manufacturing sector
  

Find out what our researchers are working on:

	Michelle Adams Dr. Adams focuses her renewable energy research at the intersection of policy, technology and the society it affects, seeking to understand the barriers and enablers impacting renewable energy development. In 2010, she co-authored a report that provided much of the foundation for Nova Scotia’s renewable energy strategy.
	Peter Duinker Dr. Duinker concentrates on sustainable energy systems in urban areas, as well as on farms and in the forest industry.  His students work directly with energy planners and consumers to reduce the environmental consequences of energy use.
	Kate Sherren Dr. Sherren focuses on the aesthetic implications of energy development, and how landscape change influences stakeholder perspectives of energy options. Her innovative in situ elicitation methods are an enjoyable way to collect rigorous data.