Accelerating Canada's Global Impact in Energy through Research, Leadership and Innovation

加拿大丰富的碳氢化合物资源使能源成为其经济的支柱，但环境和社会需求迫使我们开发新的、可持续的方法来生产、运输和使用能源。

Canada’s hydrocarbon endowment has made energy a pillar of our economy, but environmental and societal imperatives compel us to develop new and sustainable approaches to producing, transporting and using energy. The University of Alberta proposes to establish the Future Energy Systems Research Institute (FESRI) to develop a path to the responsible development and use of Canada’s multi-trillion-dollar energy resources, while facilitating a smooth transition to a lower-carbon energy economy. FESRI will establish an integrated research program uniting University of Alberta researchers in engineering, sciences, social sciences, humanities, business and law. FESRI will concern itself both with: finding solutions to the critical challenges of today’s energy system, which is vital to Canada’s current economy; and developing technologies and practices that position Canada to thrive in a future, lower-carbon economy. FESRI will directly address challenges for developing Canada’s unconventional hydrocarbon resources: tailings, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, land reclamation, and safe and efficient energy transportation. Its research program is aimed at ensuring that Canada benefits—in terms of jobs, revenue and reputation—from the continued responsible development of this natural resource. FESRI is also focused on the opportunities for Canada in the future, low-carbon economy. By concentrating on the University of Alberta’s strengths, including advanced materials, smart electrical grids, and bioprocessing, the institute can accelerate Canada’s transition toward more renewable sources of energy. Embedding experts in the humanities, social sciences and law within FESRI is key to achieving the goal of developing new and sustainable energy systems in a just and equitable manner. FESRI is the beginning of a comprehensive research enterprise, envisioned to continue long after Canada First Research Excellence Fund funding ends. FESRI will build a new energy future for Canada, propelling our country to world leadership in energy technology development and use.