SESITSustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions Group
About
Our energy systems are transforming rapidly: new technologies are being developed, the economics of energy
resources is shifting, and national and international policy goals are changing priorities.
These trends go beyond the fuel shifts observed historically, from biomass to coal to oil to natural gas;
together they represent a wholesale transition to a sustainable energy system.
Innovative modelling techniques combined with stakeholder engagement can help guide our decision-making during
this transition.
The Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions (SESIT) Group develops and applies models
to understand the sustainable energy system transition. Research questions include:
How should the rise of the grid edge be leveraged?
What are the most promising climate mitigation solutions considering a broad spatial-temporal scale?
How can energy systems integration - coordinating energy systems operation and planning across multiple
pathways and scales - unlock flexibility?
Click on any of our projects or publications below for more details.
Projects
Advancing accessible and transparent modeling for Canadians
Our mission is to provide a credible, transparent modeling platform that policymakers, researchers
and civil society can use to inform climate change and energy transition policy development, advocacy,
and discussion, and to serve the public discourse by providing timely objective analysis of policy
announcements and political party platforms.
The first phase of our work—now underway— is the development of an innovative open-source collection
of energy system and economic impact models, complemented by open data and accessible visualization
tools. Once fully developed, the platform will include 8 open-source models, and
we hope
to add more models over time.
This initiative will build upon the University of Victoria and EMH's M3 platform, enhancing it with
new models and data sources. The aim is to substantially boost the platform's capabilities, in
particular enabling deeper insights into energy systems, emissions, the economy, and employment at
both national and regional levels.
The second phase of the project, beginning in 2025, will offer a service for efficiently, objectively,
and transparently assessing the impacts of climate and energy transition policy announcements and
political platforms.
Building an open-source platform capable of robust decarbonization analyses at a variety of spatial
and sectoral scales.
Built by the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions Group at the University of
Victoria on open-source software, the M3 Modelling Platform represents multi-scale (municipal to
federal), multi-sector (power, transport, buildings), and multi-vector (electricity, fuels) energy
systems. It features soft coupling between components for seamless workflow management, and includes:
Integrated Tools: Contains linkages between input data (CODERS Energy Data Portal), models across
scales and sectors, and output visualizations (IDEA platform).
Extendable and Adaptable Framework: Designed to accommodate future additions and a variety
of modeling combinations to address diverse research and practical questions. See our list of models and the Open Insights projects to learn
more.
Transparent and Reproducible: Features a graphical user interface that simplifies
conceptualization of the modeling workflow, enhancing transparency and reproducibility
How can collaborative efforts improve energy modeling practices and address current gaps?
The Multi-Model Comparison Forum (MMCF) is a collaborative exercise organized by the Energy
Modelling Hub (EMH) where researchers come together with the aim to foster open comparison of model
results and methodologies. This initiative is key in identifying data and modeling practice gaps and
opportunities, and will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange among modelers, policymakers, and
other stakeholders. The MMCF targets model developers and modelers, with the inclusion of model users
as observers.
The forum is divided into three working groups, focused on Power System Models (WG1), broader Energy
System Models (WG2) and Sector-Specific Models (WG3). We lead and participate in WG1 with our COPPER
and SILVER models and utilizing our IDEA visualization platform as a comparison tool. Additionally, we
participate in WG2 with our MessageIX-Canada model.
The preparations for the next round of the MMCF has already kicked off, with WG1 having an in-person
workshop and presentation in early December 2024, at the EMH annual forum.
How do wind and solar resource characteristics impact operations and planning?
As wind and solar energy resources comprise an increasingly large fraction of generation, a greater
understanding of VRE spatial-temporal nature is desirable for resource characterizations, grid
integration analyses, and project development planning.
However, freely available VRE datasets either have limited temporal resolution or spatial coverage.
While commercial datasets provide improved resolution, they are costly for preliminary analyses or
research applications.
This project closed this gap by publishing a free web-based tool for downloading hourly, global wind
and solar PV generation time series, called GRETA (Global Renewable Energy Atlas & Time-series).
Fostering a dialogue between energy system policy-makers and modellers
In collaboration with Polytechnique Montréal and the Institut de l'énergie Trottier, we launched the
Energy Modelling Hub (EMH) with the goal of convening a dialogue between Canada's electricity and
energy system modelling community and policy-makers. Recognizing the need to establish an energy
systems modelling network, Natural Resources Canada funded several EMI initiatives, including regional
workshops, a national workshop, and a series of modelling projects. The three regional workshops
brought together energy system modellers and policy-makers in the western, eastern, and central parts
of Canada to foster synergies and collaborations while identifying modelling activities needed to
inform policy-making. Ten modelling projects, across a range of aspects of modelling and
electrification topics have been funded. Our National Forum in December 2019 will build on the
projects and regional workshops to develop the first Canadian modellers' vision for 2030-2050.
How do we utilize machine learning in climate policy?
Data science and machine learning techniques have revolutionized how we understand, manage, and plan
complex systems, but their usage in supporting climate policy is still nascent. SESIT is at the
leading edge of research that seeks to bridge that gap by exploring these methods within the context
of the Canadian energy system, aiming to identify opportunities for usage of these tools to tackle
longstanding challenges. Topics under study include uncertainty representation, surrogate modelling,
pathway assessments, complex data structures, data accessibility, and component modelling, and more.
By leveraging these methods in partnership with decision-makers, we aim to catalyze these
conversations and illuminate a path forward for the development of smarter, data-driven energy
futures.
Previous Projects
What are the most feasible pathways for decarbonization in Regina?
Cities offer a tractable opportunity for renewable-based climate mitigation but face distinct
challenges depending on their local economy, resources, and political climate.
In sub-Saharan Africa where 65% of the population lacks access to electricity, novel solutions that do
not depend on centralized infrastructure are necessary to facilitate electricity access for the bottom
billion.
In North America, over 50 cities are sidestepping provincial and federal climate policy gridlock by
developing renewable city commitments.
In this collaborative project with the
David Suzuki Foundation and
Dr. Brett Dolter
we will explore the pathways for moving Regina to a 100% renewable city.
What are the least-cost options for Canada's sustainable energy system transition?
This collaborative project with the
David Suzuki Foundation and
Dr. Brett Dolter
will build a credible renewable energy blueprint to achieve Canada's Paris commitment and Pan-Canadian
Framework goals.
To do so, this project will implement a two-step modelling methodology to leverage the spatial breadth
of the CREST model as well as the temporal resolution of the SILVER model.
The capacity expansion model, CREST, which takes a broad spatial and temporal perspective on
the energy system transition will be used to facilitate a National dialogue on electricity system
planning.
The production cost model, SILVER, which represents the electricity system with greater
temporal resolution, will validate the operability of potential energy system designs.
Arjmand, R., & McPherson, M. (2022). Canada's electricity system transition under alternative
policy scenarios. Energy Policy, 163, 112844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112844
(COPPER
model development to get it ready for CPP modelling work)
Saffari, M., & McPherson, M. (2022). Assessment of Canada's electricity system potential for
variable renewable energy integration. Energy, 250, 123757.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.123757
(SILVER development to get it ready for CPP modelling
work)
Miri, M., Saffari, M., Arjmand, R., & McPherson, M. (2022). Integrated models in action: Analyzing
flexibility in the Canadian power system toward a zero-emission future. Energy, 261, 125181.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125181
(COPPER-SILVER linkage development)
Seatle, M., Stanislaw, L., Xu, R., & McPherson, M. (2021). Integrated Transportation, Building,
and Electricity System Models to Explore Decarbonization Pathways in Regina, Saskatchewan. Frontiers
in Sustainable Cities, 3, 113. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.674848
Publications
Planning for variable renewable energy and electric vehicle integration under varying degrees of
decentralisation: a case study in Lusaka, Zambia
McPherson, M., Ismail, M., Hoornweg, D., Metcalfe, M.
Energy 151: 332-346 (2018)
Highlights:
Effective electric vehicle integration policy depends on power system centralization;
Decentralized solar energy utility depends on shape or shiftablibility of load;
Electricity system planning must account for the electric vehicle charging policy;
Less than 30% renewables are operationally feasible regardless of system centralization;
System-optimized vehicle-to-grid charging substitutes large storage requirements.
The role of electricity storage and hydrogen technologies in enabling global low-carbon energy
transitions
McPherson, M., Johnson, N., Strubegger, M.
Applied Energy 216: 649-661 (2018)
Highlights:
Without climate policy, small storage/H2 costs enable smaller power sector emissions;
With climate policy, small storage/H2 costs reduce long-term mitigation costs;
Large-scale deployment of electricity storage only occurs when costs are small;
With large storage/H2 costs, large wind and solar PV shares can still be supported.
Deploying storage assets to facilitate variable renewable energy integration: the impacts of grid
flexibility, renewable penetration, and market structure
McPherson, M., Tahseen, S.
Energy 145: 856-870 (2018)
Highlights:
Storage market and grid integration is explored with a production cost model;
Alternative storage asset bid strategies and ownership structures are compared;
Storage utility depends on variable renewable penetration and system inflexibility;
Storage profitability depends on bidding mechanism and dispatch horizon.
System design and operation for integrating variable renewable energy resources through a
comprehensive characterisation framework
McPherson, M., Harvey, D., Karney, B.
Renewable Energy 113: 1019-1032 (2017)
Highlights:
Development of VRE characterization metrics according to integration requirements;
Application of charcaterization metrics in a unit commitment dispatch model;
Evaluation of VRE resources according to integration requirements;
Flexiblity and strategic resource aggregation minimizes integration requirements.
A scenario-based approach to designing electricity grids with high variable renewable energy
penetrations in Ontario, Canada: development and application of the SILVER Model
McPherson, M., Karney, B.
Energy 138: 185-196 (2017)
Highlights:
A new scenario-based production cost model entitled SILVER is proposed;
Flexibility requirements for a 100% renewable electricity system are quantified;
Distinct remuneration structures drive demand response and storage deployment;
System flexibility and market design interdependence motivates integrated planning.
An open-access web-based tool to access global, hourly wind and solar PV generation time-series
derived from the MERRA reanalysis dataset
McPherson, M., Sotiropoulos-Michalakakos, T., Harvey, D., Karney, B.
Energies 10: 1007 (2017)
Highlights:
The Global Renewable Energy Atlas & Time-series (GRETA) web platform is introduced;
GRETA produces hourly wind and solar PV generation time series globally;
GRETA is a freely website platform available at http://energy.greta.tech/;
GRETA can facilitate a wide variety of renewable energy assessments.
A reduced-form approach for representing the impacts of wind and solar PV deployment on the
structure and operation of the electricity system
Johnson, N., Strubegger, M., McPherson, M., Parkinson, S., Krey, V., Sullivan,
P.
Energy Economics 64: 651-664 (2017)
Highlights:
VRE integration challenges can be parameterized using residual load duration curves;
These challenges can be represented in global integrated assessment models;
Integration challenges do not impede large shares of electricity generation from VRE;
Electricity storage and H2 technologies are crucial for integrating large VRE shares.
Long-term scenario alternatives and their implications: LEAP mode application of Panama's
electricity sector
McPherson, M., Karney, B.
Energy Policy 68: 146-157 (2014)
Highlights:
This paper models Panama's electricity sector using the LEAP model platform;
Four scenarios are developed and analyzed;
Impact analysis includes: system cost, global warming potential, resource diversity index;
Panama can achieve a sustainable grid with existing technologies and costs;
There is an tradeoff between the resource diversity and global warming potential.
Dr. Madeleine McPherson is an Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering department at the
University of Victoria and principal investigator of the Sustainable Energy Systems
Integration & Transitions Group. Previously, McPherson worked as a Post-Doctoral researcher in
the Grid Systems Analysis group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden,
Colorado. McPherson obtained her PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto in
2017. Her research focuses on integrating high penetrations of wind and solar PV onto
electricity systems around the world. She has explored questions ranging from the impact of
renewable resource characteristics on integration strategies, storage assets remuneration and
integration in electricity system markets, and the interaction between electric vehicle
charging profiles and grid decentralization. More recently, McPherson has developed and
applied a methodology for exploring the role of demand response for facilitating increasing
renewable penetrations. McPherson is the lead-author on numerous peer-reviewed journal
articles, conference proceedings, reports, and presentations. Currently, McPherson is
developing an integrated modelling framework to explore the sustainable energy transition in
Canada.
Deven Azevedo
Project Director
Deven is Project Director of the Open Insights project, a collaboration between SESIT and
partnering organizations focused on developing open-source energy-economy datasets, models and
visualization tools for the Canadian modelling and climate policy community. Prior to SESIT, Deven
worked in environmental economic consulting in the United Kingdom, where he led model development
teams focusing on climate & nature transition and physical risk modelling for financial
institutions. Deven received his Master's in Economics from the London School of Economics and
Political Science and Bachelor's in Economics from Simon Fraser University. Through his academic
work, Deven has publications on climate science as well as environmental economics topics. In his
spare time, Deven can be found trail running, road cycling, kiteboarding or being made fun of by
his friends for still calling his apartment his “flat”.
Dr. Muhammad Awais
Research Analyst
Muhammad Awais is a Research Analyst, leading the development of the Canadian Integrated
Assessment Model (MESSAGEix-Canada). He is also affiliated with the International Institute of
Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) as a Research Scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment
program, where he has contributed for the past five years.
Awais has played a key role in large-scale projects focused on developing integrated
multi-sectoral scenario across various scales( global, regional, and national). His research
interests include understanding optimal pathways for the energy, water, and land sectors, with a
particular focus on climate action and its associated impacts. His work emphasizes the development
of integrated assessment models that answers 'what-if' questions for the future.
In addition to his research, Awais has actively participated in multiple stakeholder events, where
he has trained stakeholders and policymakers, helping them understand complex models and transform
them into actionable, impactful policies.
Awais obtained his Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the University of Victoria, with a focus on
climate adaptation scenarios in the energy, water, and land domains. He possesses a Master of
Science degree in Hydro Science & Engineering from the Technical University Dresden, Germany, and
a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the National University of Computer & Emerging
Sciences, Pakistan.
Dr. Madeleine Seatle
Research Analyst
Madeleine Seatle is an energy systems modeller with an expertise is developing linkages between
models. She currently is the model linkage lead in the Open Insights project, a collaboration
between SESIT, EMH, and the Clean Prosperity Foundation. She competed her B.Eng. in Civil
Engineering (2019) from McMaster University and her Ph.D. (2023) in the SESIT Group at the
University of Victoria. Her thesis research focused on modelling decarbonization pathways at the
city-scale, with a focus on large-scale renewable energy integration and electrification. She has
experience working with energy system models, such as a production cost model (SILVER) and a
capacity model (COPPER), as well as demand-side models, such as a transportation model (TASHA) and
a building model (EnergyPlus). Through linking demand-side models to energy system models, demand
response programs were able to be explored as a means of providing flexibility to the grid.
Aaron Hoyle
PhD candidate
Aaron is a PhD student in the School of Public Administration working under the
supervision of Dr. Katya Rhodes. He is an energy and climate policy researcher with a
background in engineering and energy economics. Before joining IESVic Aaron worked for the
Canada Energy Regulator on climate and energy policy analysis to support long-term energy
demand projections. Aaron has also worked in climate policy consulting and in engineering
roles in industry. His master's research evaluated the effect of federal government climate
policy on Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on policy interactions. Aaron is
passionate about climate change mitigation and aims to apply his analytical background and
interdisciplinary training to contribute to informed discussions around energy and climate
policy. His doctoral research involves assessing and explaining the effectiveness and
acceptability of alternative climate policy pathways that are likely to hit Canada's
greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Mackenzie Judson
PhD candidate
Mackenzie Judson is a PhD candidate in the SESIT group and a member of IESVic at the UVic.
Previously, she completed her BASc in Mechanical Engineering at Queen's University, where she
developed an interest in research methods, energy systems modelling, and hydrogen technology.
Since 2021, she has been working with SESIT to improve models using novel computational methods.
Her thesis work is focused on producing rapid models to explore pressing issues in Canadian
decarbonization. Mackenzie is passionate about research, teaching and learning, and
fighting climate change through promoting sustainability and equity.
Evan Dungate
Software developer
Evan graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor's in Software Engineering
in 2022. While there he served as the Vice President of Academics for the Engineering
Student Society and was the president of the UVic Surf Club. Through the engineering
department's co-op program, he has acquired extensive experience with massive datasets,
energy system models, and requirements engineering. Currently, he is interested in
creating illustrative data visualizations of complex energy systems, full-stack
development, and facilitating teamwork within software projects. Outside of work, Evan
loves the outdoors and the preservation of our natural habitats here in BC. You can find
him organizing a beach cleanup, hiking, biking, diving, fishing, or surfing at least one
day of the week.
Erica Attard
Master's candidate
Erica graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) with a
Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering in 2022. While there, she was the Team Captain and
Engineering Lead of the Toronto Metropolitan Formula Racing (TMFR) team and lead the team
to compete their first electric vehicle in the 2022 FSAE Michigan Competition. She also
participated in two research assistantships focused on geothermal energy and human factors
integration. Through these positions, she gained extensive knowledge in engineering
design, manufacturing methods, data post-processing, inclusive design, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and leadership. Currently, she is interested in improving data
communication via enhanced data visualization techniques. Outside of research, she enjoys
hiking, baking and traveling.
Nathan De Matos
Master's candidate
Nathan graduated in 2022 from Queens University with a Bachelor of Engineering Physics.
His previous work experience includes a 16-month work term at Calian LTD, working as a
project analyst in the nuclear engineering group.
Ahnaf Ahmed
Software Developer
Ahnaf graduated from the University of Victoria in 2022 with a Bachelor's in Software Engineering
and specialization in Data Mining and AI/ML. While attending, he was a member of the Engineering
Student Society serving as Director of IT for a year. He represented UVic in the programming
division at
the Western Engineering Competition in 2020, achieving first place. Through the Engineering
department's co-op program Ahnaf has worked on various projects from low level hardware to cloud
systems. Ahnaf is currently a member of the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transition
group (SESIT). Ahnaf is currently the lead developer of the CODERS database and API.
Zach Gould
Post-doctoral fellow
Leveraging lessons from nature, Zachary strives to instill the intelligence of
ecosystems into modern built environments. Since receiving his Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, Zachary has lived and worked in New
York, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Myanmar, and Tanzania on a variety of bio-inspired,
sustainable development and renewable energy projects. He recently completed his PhD in
Environmental Design and Planning from Virginia Tech as part of the BioBuild
Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program. His academic ambitions encompass the
research and teaching of themes related to ecological networks, energy infrastructure,
machine learning, blockchain, horticulture, and regenerative community development.
Jonas Kraasch
Software Developer
Jonas Kraasch, a skilled software engineer and deep learning. With a diverse background, he is
passionate about AI and climate crisis research, volunteers with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, and
excels in interdisciplinary projects. He is currently the lead developer of the IDEA platform.
Cristiano Fernandes
Software Developer
Electrical engineer with a specialization in digital and embedded systems. Passionate about
engineering problems and problem solving, I have mainly worked in the energy research field,
applying operations research and mathematical programming skills to model the energy sector in
Canada. When spending time on my own, or with friends, I usually like to play the piano, read, or
practice a sport.
Brendan Danaher
Master's Candidate
Brendan graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical
Engineering, specializing in sustainable energy technologies, in 2023. His previous work
experience includes multiple work terms at both MEDATech Engineering Services and Melitron
Corporation, where he worked as a Product Design Intern and Product Development Intern,
respectively. Brendan is working towards a Master of Applied Science focusing on investigating
decarbonisation pathways of the Canadian electrical system. In his spare time, Brendan enjoys
spending time outdoors and mountain biking.
Recent Graduates
Robert Xu
Master's candidate
I grew up in Alberta, and am a recent graduate from the University of Alberta in
Civil Engineering. For a long time I have wanted to work in sustainability and
contribute to a greener society, and joining this project with Dr. McPherson was the
perfect opportunity. I have previous research experience working with transportation
network modelling which I hope to apply to this project. I am looking forward to
making the world a cleaner place to live while being on the beautiful west coast!
Reza Arjmand
PhD candidate
Reza Arjmand is a PhD student in the Civil Engineering Department at the University
of Victoria. His doctoral research focuses on creating power system scenarios in order
to channel Canada's electricity system into a clean system with no carbon emission.
After obtaining his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in electrical engineering at Shahrood University
of Technology, Shahrood, Iran, he worked as an operation expert for more than 2 years.
A substantial portion of his work at the graduate level has involved researching on
the impact of renewable energy sources uncertainty on power market outcomes. Novel
results extracted from his researches have been published in high impact international
journals (Applied energy and Renewable Energy journals). His research interests center
around the power system operation and planning studies, classic and heuristic
optimization of power system problems, Renewable energy integration into the grid and
deregulation in power industry studies.
Lauren Stanislaw
Master's candidate
Lauren is originally from the US and graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, CA
with a Bachelor's degree in mathematics. After graduation, she spent a year working as
a researcher on two chemical modeling projects with applications in renewable energy
and materials. First, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, she used COMSOL to
model the performance of an electrolyzer, which uses an electrochemical reaction to
split water and produce hydrogen without any pollutant byproducts. Then, at the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, she worked on a machine learning project to
facilitate the discovery of new polymers with desirable properties. At UVic, Lauren
joined the SESIT team so that she could use her modeling and coding skills to explore
energy-related issues from a higher-level perspective. She will be working on both the
modeling of buildings, and model integration.
Mohammadali Saffari
PhD candidate
Mohammadali Saffari received the M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering (Management,
Control and Navigation of Power Systems) from Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran,
Iran. During his M.Sc. program, he worked on Optimal Bidding Strategy of an Active
Microgrid for Participating in Wholesale Electricity Market. Apart from the academic
environment, he was a researcher at Niroo Research Institute (NRI) and working on
multiple industrial projects. He was with the Center for the Development of Bulk Power
Transmission Systems, NRI, where he firstly worked on investigating the strategy of
using bulk power transmission technology in the electrical connection of Iran's grid
to its neighboring countries. Afterward, he worked on calculating optimal range of
loss in Iran's distribution system based on inherent features of network.
Mohammadali's research interest lies at power systems optimization, microgrids, demand
response programs, energy management, and flexibility in the power system.
Lia Codrington
Master's candidate
Lia graduated from the University of Toronto in 2020 with a BASc in Engineering
Science and a minor in Environmental Engineering. Lia's focus during her undergraduate
degree was energy efficient housing design, particularly for remote Indigenous
communities. She has completed work terms at the National Research Council's Flight
Research Lab and Construction portfolio, and she spent a summer in Accra, Ghana, as an
Engineers Without Borders Junior Fellow. Lia also has experience in the structural
design industry from her co-op with RJC Engineers in Toronto.
Keegan Griffiths
Co-op student
Keegan Griffiths is a 3rd year software engineering student at the University of
Victoria in his second co-op work term with SESIT. His interests are data
visualization and data management. Keegan's current work is focused on creating
visualization tools to help display data from the models used by SESIT so that the
data is more clear and more useful for users, and new data is also faster and easier
to visualize. He has also worked with the copper and silver models and helped to build
a linking tool between them.
Tim Crownshaw
Postdoctoral fellow
Tim joined IESVic in January 2022. He completed his PhD at McGill University in 2021,
focussing on stochastic dynamic modelling of energy transition pathways under
uncertainty. Prior to this he worked in electricity system operations in New Zealand.
Tim has collaborated in a variety of research projects related to renewable energy and
emerging technologies, including identifying distributed generation hosting capacity
in low-voltage distribution networks and the integration of rising intermittent
generation into power system operations. Tim holds a Master of Energy degree and a
Graduate Diploma in Engineering from the University of Auckland, and a Bachelor of
Science in physics and mathematics from the University of Otago. His primary research
interests involve non-renewable energy dependency in industrial societies,
quantitative modelling approaches including system dynamics and stochastic
optimization, Post-Normal Science, Energy Return on Investment (EROI), exergy
economics, degrowth theory, and societal metabolism. Tim has published several
peer-reviewed articles on topics including the potential political ramifications of
declining energy supplies, reconsidering possible futures given the limits to economic
growth, and the potential for global environment-economy decoupling via a shift
towards knowledge-based economies.
Trevor Dorman
Co-op student
Zahra Jahangiri
PhD candidate
Zahra began her studies as a PhD candidate and member of the SESIT team at the University of
Victoria in May 2020. Prior to joining UVic, she received her M.Sc and bachelor's degrees from
the University of Tehran in Mechanical Engineering (2020) and Computational Engineering
Science (2017). Her main research background includes optimization, machine learning,
renewable energy systems, modeling, data science, and optimization, which she hopes to expand
by working on sector in M3 Modeling project. Zahra particularly enjoys multidisciplinary and
collaborative research. She believes that the research on multi-scaled, multi-sector, and
multi-vector energy systems modeling at the SESIT group would give her the opportunity to
pursue her intellectual goals and interests.
A link to Zahra's machine learning inputs from her work can be found below
Holding an M.Sc in energy systems engineering and having a background in integrated
assessment modeling, optimization and energy systems analysis. Being a SESIT member and
working on M3 Modeling project, enables me reach my goals on the way to expand my knowledge
in newly emerging modeling and optimization methodologies, such as machine learning and data
science.
Tamara Knittel
PhD candidate
Tamara completed her BEng at Reutlingen University, Germany in International Project
Engineering with a semester abroad at San Diego State University, US, and an internship
aborad in production planning at Mercedes-Benz in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Her final research
project at Mercedes-Benz focused on optimizing the production processes of lithium-ion
batteries for EV production. She went on to complete a MSc at Warwick University, UK, in
Engineering Business Management. Tamara's MSc project expanded her work on lithium-ion
batteries by creating a circular economy for LIBs used in EVs, focusing on end-of-life and
recycling processes to create more sustainable battery life cycles. Resulting from this
work, she developed a research interest in batteries and their potential to increase a
systems' sustainability, i.e. by integrating them to the electricity grid in addition to
other renewable energies.
Truzaar Dordi
Post-doctoral fellow
Truzaar Dordi is an award-winning researcher and post-doctoral fellow at the University
of Victoria, working in the fields of climate finance, energy policy, and sustainability
transitions. Truzaar holds a Doctorate in Sustainability Management from the University of
Waterloo, where he examined the role of capital markets in low-carbon transitions. Truzaar
currently serves as the Vice President for the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics
and served as a member and author for the University of Waterloo's Responsible Investing
Advisory Group. He is recognized as a 2020 Corporate Knights' Top 30 Under 30
Sustainability Leader and a 2023 Clean50 Emerging Leader, awarded for his work on climate
action and financial stability.
Jacob Monroe
Research analyst
Jacob completed his B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at
North Carolina State University in the United States in 2016 and 2020, respectively. His Ph.D.
dissertation was on simulating evolution of low-voltage electric grids with distributed energy
technology adoption using agent-based modeling techniques. His dissertation was funded by the
United States National Science Foundation through the Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Jacob's research applies sociotechnical modeling techniques to simulate water and energy
networks as complex adaptive systems. His work has developed an array of agent-based modeling
frameworks to analyze critical infrastructure protection, ecotourism, solar PV technology
diffusion, decentralized water systems, and peer-to-peer energy markets. He is currently a
Research Analyst at the Institute and performs energy system modeling and optimization
research to analyze electrification and decarbonization pathways for the Canadian economy.
Opportunities
Are you interested in joining the team?
We are recruiting enthusiastic and talented student researchers at the undergraduate,
graduate, and postdoc levels.
SESIT is part of the Insitute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic), a multi-disciplinary
and collaborative research centre at the University of Victoria. IESVic alumni end up all over
the world as professors, consultants, entrepreneurs, managers, and engineers. Check out where
our alumni are now.
SESIT strives to be a diverse and inclusive group that is a source of strength for its
students and fellows. We courage applications and partnerships from underrepresented groups
including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities,
and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We acknowledge with respect the
Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the university stands and the Songhees,
Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this
day.
