Future Energy Systems (FES) is a research program at the University of Alberta funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. Its mission is to enable a brighter future for energy, in Canada and around the world, supporting the energy transition towards a sustainable, economically viable, and fair system where energy and environment exist in harmony and the needs of people and communities are met without strife. It funds and organizes innovative research projects across a wide range of fields, from engineering and science to economics and humanities, all aimed at improving the energy systems of today and inventing and integrating the energy systems of tomorrow.
Though this research focus is key, our energy future is brightest when everyone can be engaged in the transition. FES believes in bringing university-level expertise to audiences at no cost. FES staff and researchers have participated in over 700 outreach experiences in-person, online, and through video creation, reaching a total audience in excess of 100,000 individuals. Its robust outreach and engagement program includes an educational book series for kids, over 300 videos on YouTube, in person and online classroom visits, lab tours, public talks, hands-on demos, and more. To support this engagement, FES also supports training of graduate students and researchers to communicate research to various audiences.