CUE opens McNeil Centre for Applied Renewable Energy
Posted on: Sep 2, 2021
Earlier today, Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) officially opened its McNeil Centre for Applied Renewable Energy—a multi-disciplinary centre to advance the adoption of renewable energy technologies across Canada, with a primary focus on Albertan communities.
“At CUE, we believe in science. We are critical thinkers who know that climate change is real and that time is not on our side,” said Dr. Tim Loreman, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUE. “Alberta is Canada’s energy leader, and this centre will be a hub to learn, explore, and discover, so that we can create a future that is cleaner and more sustainable.”
The centre, named after Cam McNeil, an alumnus from the Class of 1959 who dedicated his career to researching and implementing renewable technologies, will create opportunities for students, researchers, industry, governments, and community members to work together and advance renewable energy technologies locally and nationally.
“The McNeil Centre is the culmination of my professional life,” said McNeil. “It is a means of addressing some unfinished business by doing helpful things in renewables, a sector that is just now beginning to be appreciated as the energy of our future.”
The centre’s primary objectives are to raise awareness of the opportunities presented by renewable energy technologies, conduct workshops to assist in the adoption of technologies, develop programs based on the needs of industry, and assist with renewable energy planning based on the needs of stakeholders and governments.
The centre is housed in CUE’s BMO Centre for Innovation and Applied Research and led by an advisory committee of experts across related industries. Along with opening the centre, CUE is introducing a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Management course through its Office of Extension and Culture, which will prepare students to be Energy Coordinators and Energy Managers.
“To reduce our emissions and address the growing threat and impact of climate change, we need to diversify our economy and our natural resources sector,” said Dr. Loreman. “Being leaders in renewable energy strengthens our city and our province. We are grateful for Cam’s support and are looking forward to making an impact through the McNeil Centre.”
CUE is celebrating 100 years as a community of scholars gathering in Edmonton and growing into the world. The opening of the McNeil Centre marked the beginning of its 100th anniversary celebration, which will be taking place all weekend.
“Our objective is to be Canada’s pre-eminent small university,” said Dr. Loreman. “We are dedicated to research, pushing boundaries and exploring what is possible through innovation. We are working to build and strengthen our partnerships to expand our reach and be thought leaders, conveners, and multipliers who are ready to facilitate, and contribute to, timely conversations like this one.”
For more information on the McNeil Centre, visit https://concordia.ab.ca/external-affairs/mcneil-centre-for-applied-renewable-energy/.
CUE is celebrating 100 years as a community of scholars gathering in Edmonton and growing into the world. The opening of the McNeil Centre for Applied Renewable Energy is the first event of our 100th anniversary celebration. For more information on this weekend’s events, please click here.