Concordia University

Published purpose

Climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme heat events are placing unprecedented stress on large-scale infrastructure and commercial buildings. Rising electricity demand during peak periods threatens the reliability of essential services and constrains the transition toward electrified heating systems and vehicle fleets. At the same time, expanding grid capacity is limited by resource constraints. This research addresses these challenges by reducing operational energy use and mitigating peak demand through the integration of alternative energy sources. The project pursues four key objectives: (1) deploying and demonstrating advanced control strategies to optimize building operations; (2) validating occupant‑centred optimization methods that lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while preserving comfort; (3) designing, modelling, and prototyping alternative energy systems; and (4) developing and demonstrating solutions that enhance energy flexibility and resilience. Collectively, these efforts aim to reduce energy use and emissions, supporting progress toward achieving net‑zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.