Vision
The future of energy
The world is increasingly urban. According to the United Nations, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. In Canada, the number is much higher. Almost 82 per cent of the country’s population is urbanized (external link, opens in new window) — and, as elsewhere, that figure is expected to grow over the next few decades.
In addition, cities cover just three per cent of the Earth’s land, yet they account for up to 80 per cent of global energy consumption and 70 per cent of carbon emissions.
Canada’s economy is dependent on fossil fuels, which account for (PDF file) over 76 per cent of the country’s total energy supply (external link, opens in new window) . Replacing these carbon-emitting sources with technologies that rely on clean, distributed electricity — often referred to as “deep electrification” — and decoupling the economy from fossil fuels won’t be easy, but it is necessary. As daunting and complex as the task is, the climate crisis demands that we rise to meet the challenge — in both the short and the long term.
That’s why CUE was created — to find innovative, collaborative solutions to society’s most pressing energy challenges, in concert with our private and public sector partners. Ten years on, our mission continues.
CUE's academic director on his vision for the next 10 years
The next decade will be decisive in our fight against climate change. In that context, I see an enormous range of opportunities and a growing role for CUE to play in helping to transform our energy system into one that is clean, smart, resilient and accessible to all. If we continue to attract talented students, PhD candidates and researchers, as well as partners who are eager to invest in what we do, I am confident that CUE will remain uniquely positioned to find new ways to supply energy reliably. And we’ll do it without adding to the climate crisis, but rather by contributing to a greener planet and cleaner economy.
— Bala Venkatesh, Academic Director
