USask-led Northern Energy Planning Project Awarded $2.5 million by SSHRC

EIN 32 CS USASK 400

Aug 2, 2019

Imagine that your family lives on less than $1,600 a month and the power bill takes up half that money. Or think about a snowstorm hundreds of kilometres away knocking out your power for a couple of days at 40 below, with two-thirds of the homes in your community depending on electricity for heat.

These are realities for residents of more than 250 northern and Indigenous communities in Canada, many of whom are dependent on diesel generators or on an electrical grid that’s highly vulnerable to storms.

With a just-announced grant award of $2.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, two University of Saskatchewan researchers are leading an $8.8-million international partnership project to explore how northern residents can achieve energy independence and benefit economically and socially by developing renewable energy.

“Working with our partners in northern Canada and in other northern countries, this exciting ground-breaking initiative will help to meet the urgent need for sustainable and equitable energy solutions in the North,” said USask Vice-President Research Karen Chad.

“Through this major federal investment, we will contribute to reconciliation and strengthen our university’s commitment to global engagement and leadership.”

Bram Noble, professor of geography and planning in the College of Arts and Science, and Greg Poelzer, a Fulbright scholar and professor at USask’s School of Environment and Sustainability, are co-directors of the Community Appropriate Sustainable Energy Security (CASES) partnership researching ways to transition northern communities to energy self-sufficiency.

The partnership brings together multidisciplinary researchers, sectoral partners and 15 Indigenous and northern groups from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Norway.

“The goal is to understand what energy security means to northern communities, and co-create knowledge and the capacity to design, implement and manage renewable energy systems that will create new opportunities to enhance their economic and social values,” said Noble.

Noble said the seven-year CASES partnership will train 83 highly qualified personnel to become the next generation of Indigenous and northern leaders helping to transform the energy future of northern communities.

upport from the project’s industry partners, including SaskPower, Valard Group, and ONEC Group, totals $1.25 million.

Participating northern Canadian communities are the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation communities of Deschambault Lake and Pelican Narrows in Saskatchewan, four Gwich’in Tribal Council communities in the Northwest Territories, and Churchill and York Factory First Nation in Manitoba.

Three Alaskan Indigenous communities are participating, as well as two Sami communities in Sweden and another from Norway. These international communities have decades of extensive experience in policy development, use, governance and management of renewable power.

“We’re approaching this as a research project, but really a huge chunk of it involves knowledge mobilization so communities can learn directly from other communities,” said Noble.

The CASES project includes:

  • Developing community energy profiles detailing assets, supply chains, use patterns, governance, and costs, and identifying potential renewable energy options;
  • Holding international forums on best practices for energy transition to learn about innovations and establish “community appropriate” solutions;
  • Creating toolkits that include community energy planning templates, ownership and governance models, information on renewable technologies and system design, and community engagement guidelines on energy planning;
  • Holding storyteller forums to learn about energy transition, problems and solutions, with the Canadian Museum of Human Rights co-leading events in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Yellowknife, and Saskatoon.
  • Developing an open-access, web-based platform for knowledge mobilization across Arctic communities to foster ongoing collaboration and networking.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    August 20, 2025 Essex Energy is helping municipalities, universities and colleges across Ontario take advantage of incentives under Ontario’s Retrofit DER Program including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. What’s Available Significant rebates available to eligible businesses and institutional organizations deploying rooftop or parking lot solar PV systems. These incentives are paid upon completion of the project, accelerating project… Read More…

  • Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    August 18, 2025 By Brooke Stewart In today’s fast-paced construction landscape, electrical contractors are constantly pressured to keep their estimates competitive, often at the expense of healthy profit margins. Compounding this challenge are rising material costs, a shortage of skilled labor and siloed data, all of which make it increasingly difficult to stay competitive and… Read More…

  • Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    August 18, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada Did you know that carbon emissions from this year’s Annual Industry Conference were offset? With the help of Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), EFC took an important step toward reducing our environmental impact by offsetting the emissions associated with the event. This milestone reflects a growing commitment within the electrical… Read More…

  • FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    August 18, 2025 In 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.’s (collectively FortisBC) conservation and energy-efficiency programs helped lower gas and electricity use while helping create more comfortable living and working spaces for customers. Building on 2023 reductions, its gas programs cut close to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) 1 in 2024. “Our customers’… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Blackline Safety Announces Quality Assurance Program Expansion

    August 18, 2025 Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a major expansion of its quality assurance (QA) program. As part of the expansion, the company has increased its QA team, upgraded its inspection equipment, and boosted in-lab testing of its entire product line. Headquartered in Canada with offices in the UK, France, U.S., and UAE, Blackline… Read More…

  • EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    August 18, 2025 EB Horsman & Son is pleased to announce the promotion of Sean O’Brien to Branch Manager of their Burnaby location, effective August 6, 2025. Sean brings over 15 years of experience in the electrical and lighting industry, with a strong background in sales, technical leadership, project management, and clean energy initiatives. He… Read More…

  • BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    August 18, 2025 BCCA is pleased to receive the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Report on the 2026 Budget Consultation, and celebrates the emphasis placed on supporting BC’s construction industry and workforce. Chris Atchison, President of the BCCA, spoke to the Committee on the recommendations and priorities of BC’s construction industry. These included:… Read More…

  • NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    August 18, 2025 This program is designed to support the retention and progression to certification of women apprentices in the 39 Red Seal Construction or Manufacturing trades. The program pairs women apprentices with experienced tradespeople to provide guidance, career development, and support throughout their apprenticeship journey. The program is for 6 months, with the mentor and… Read More…