Contribution to Centers of Excellence/Research Networks (international and national)

Future Energy Systems (FES) – Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF): A $75 million initiative, over 7 years, supported by Federal Government of Canada, 2016 - present – Serving as a Deputy Director, Theme Leads for Biomass and System-Wide and Principal Investigator - Future Energy Systems aimed at helping Canada transition to a low net-carbon energy economy. The focus is on multidisciplinary research that develops the energy technologies of the near future, integrates them into today’s infrastructure, and examines possible consequences for our society, economy, and environment. (URL: https://futureenergysystems.ca/)
Technology Platform Partnership with Fraunhofer Society, Germany - 2017 - present – Serving as Theme Lead on Bioenergy and Biofuels and Principal Investigator – The platform will support joint projects that develop new energy technologies in the area of biofuels, storage batteries, and alternative uses for CO₂.
Joint Research Centre for Energy and Environment with Tsinghua University China - 2017 - present – Serving as Theme Lead on Bioenergy and Biofuels & System-Wide themes and as Principal Investigator – The center is aimed at developing technologies for China and Canada and brings Tsinghua University and the University of Alberta together to address the energy challenges relevant to both countries.
NSERC Energy Storage Technology (NEST) Network: 2015 - present – Serving as a Network Member and Principal Investigator - NEST is an NSERC strategic network aimed at developing energy storage technologies for integration into the grid. The network will yield new energy storage technologies, power electronic converters, and innovative power system integration, along with complementary economic models, policies, and regulations. (URL: http://ryerson.ca/nestnet/)
Sino-Canadian Energy and Environment Research and Education Initiative (SCENEREI): 2015 – present – Serving as a Network Member and Principal Investigator - This is an independent international research collaboration between the University of Alberta and Tsinghua University (China) established to address the growing need for sustainable energy solutions with benefits that include reduced water use and minimized environmental impact.
World University Network (WUN): 2014 – 2016 – Serving as a Network Member and Principal Investigator – WUN Research Development Fund 2014; Project – Health promoting responses to climate change. Researchers from 6 countries (Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands, New Zealand and United Kingdom) are participating in this project. This project assesses the impacts of increased physical activity on transportation sector emissions (URL: http://www.wun.ac.uk/wun/research/view/health-promoting-responses-to-climate-change).
Biorefining Conversions Network (BCN): 2011 – 2016. This network is aimed at development and implementation of technologies for refining biomass to fuels and chemicals. This network is supported by the Alberta Government, the federal government, industry, and other funding agencies (URL: http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/bcn/).
- April 2013 to 2016 - Principal Investigator and Lead – Value added opportunities for Alberta’s Forest Sector
- April 2011 – March 2013 - Principal Investigator and Theme Lead - Served on the Management Board and as Theme Lead for Feedstock Pre-processing.
Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative (HAI): 2013 to 2016 – Serving as a Network Member and Principal Investigator - This an independent international research partnership amalgamates the scientific and technical expertise of the Helmoltz Association of German research centres and the University of Alberta to develop solutions to challenges in fields such as energy and the environment, ecosystem and resource informatics, and health. (URL: http://www.helmholtzalberta.ca/).
BioFuelNet Canada: 2012 to 2015 – Serving as a Network Member and Principal Investigator - BioFuelNet Canada is a network of centres of excellence that brings together the Canadian biofuels research community. The objective of BioFuelNet is to aggressively address the challenges impeding the growth of an advanced biofuels industry, which is a key component of the energy mix of the future. Advanced biofuels are produced from non-food materials, such as algae, agricultural waste, forestry by-products and municipal waste. (URL: http://www.biofuelnet.ca/).
Canadian Triticale Biorefinery Initiative (CTBI): 2008 - 2011 - Served as a Network Member and Principal Investigator - This network is aimed at development of triticale as feedstock for biorefinery for production of fuels and chemicals. This network is currently being supported by Government of Alberta, Federal Government, Industries and other funding agencies (URL: http://www.ctbi.ca/).