Red Deer Polytechnic has received a $600,000 donation from the RBC Foundation to establish an Energy Test Hub.
Housed in the post-secondary's Energy Innovation Centre, the new Energy Test Hub features a flexible microgrid for testing and validating emerging technologies, including solar photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations, wind generation and battery storage systems.
“Energy Innovation is a key area of focus for Red Deer Polytechnic. Through our Energy Innovation Centre, we are working with industry partners, RDP students, faculty and researchers to develop, adopt and implement new technologies and processes that are economically and environmentally beneficial,” said Stuart Cullum, RDP president.
“Thanks to RBC Foundation’s donation, we will be able to expand our capacity to lead energy innovation applied research, education and training at RDP and contribute to Alberta’s productivity.”
Kirk Muise, RBC regional president for Alberta and Territories, said developing green skills is becoming "increasingly important," as the country transitions towards a net-zero economy.
“The Energy Test Hub will be critical to helping RDP students succeed in the hundreds of thousands of new jobs predicted to be added in these fields," said Muise.
The Energy Test Hub will provide enhanced training opportunities for students in various programs, including skilled trades and engineering. With RBC Foundation’s donation, RDP anticipates that during the next five years, 2,500 students and 100 industry partners will collaborate within the Energy Test Hub to advance energy innovation through education, training, work-integrated learning and applied research.
“When I first started my studies in computer programming, I never imagined that I’d find myself working in power systems, energy, and development,” said Akshun Chauhan, a RDP Computer Programming Diploma alum, who now works as an intern within the Energy Innovation Centre.
“Working with industry partners on applied research projects here at RDP has not only strengthened my technical abilities but has also helped me build a professional network and given me the confidence to pursue a future in energy and innovation.”
The existing structure that provides a solar panel covered walking path between the main campus building and Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre has been named "the RBC Solar Walkway" in recognition of the donation to the polytechnic.
RDP aims to be a net-zero energy campus by 2031 and a net-zero carbon campus by 2041. Investments in energy innovation by partner organizations, such as RBC Foundation, help support these goals, states a RDP media release.
"With almost 4,200 photovoltaic solar panels installed across its main campus, a Combined Heat and Power Unit, an Energy Innovation Centre and now the creation of an Energy Test Hub, RDP is making good progress towards achieving its energy innovation goals, while also enhancing practical learning opportunities and advancing applied research that sparks innovation, impacting communities across Alberta and Canada," the media release states.
