Applied Energy Research
Energy solutions for a cleaner future
Nova Scotia is aiming for 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050; energy innovation is a key piece to helping reach those goals. Our Applied Energy Research Lab (AERLab) is right at the heart of that effort. Based at Ivany Campus, this team of researchers and students works with partners to develop practical energy solutions that support the province’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
The lab focuses on renewable energy, storage and efficiency. Their work includes energy monitoring and modelling (like forecasting solar energy potential), data analysis, battery storage system testing and electronics prototyping. By testing technologies and exploring practical solutions, they help communities and companies reduce carbon emissions in cost-effective ways.
Partnering with ReCover, a national initiative focused on deep energy retrofits, the AERLab is helping develop a roadmap to scale up comprehensive energy upgrades for buildings across Atlantic Canada. These upgrades overhaul heating, ventilation, insulation and other systems to significantly reduce energy use and emissions. The project prioritizes low-income and affordable housing to ensure those who need these improvements most benefit from the transition to a low-carbon future.
Four NSCC students, supported by Mitacs internships, are analyzing regional housing data, including building age, design and energy use, to build a detailed database of common home types.
“By understanding the types of buildings we have in this region, we can figure out the smartest way to upgrade them,” says Wayne Groszko, Research Scientist. “It means we can design retrofit strategies that are more targeted, affordable and easier to roll out across communities, making energy savings more accessible to everyone.”
Through projects like these, the AERLab helps position Nova Scotia as a leader in clean technology while building the workforce needed to support it. The team collaborates closely with local businesses, startups, municipalities and organizations to bring low-carbon innovations to life.
“NSCC students and the AERLab team have played an essential role in advancing the ReCover Initiative’s Retrofit Roadmaps project through their work in data analysis, database development and building stock research. Their contributions have added rigor and real-world relevance to our work, helping us better understand regional building stock and the systems needed for scalable, equitable deep retrofits. It’s been especially invigorating to see the students work so independently and with such confidence, which lends itself to excellent guidance and structure provided by NSCC faculty. This partnership continues to be a model for how applied research can directly support building decarbonization, market development and community well-being.”
– Yash Vyas, Research Director, ReCover Initiative
