The energy choices we make as a society directly influence our environment and can create long-term impacts. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative to make sustainable energy decisions that consider the environmental, economic, and social impacts of those decisions to protect and create long-term sustainability of our energy and environmental ecosystems.
It is well known that the Government of Canada has identified green transition as a priority for the future energy sustainability of Canada. NorQuest believes that community energy initiatives are key to this shift toward energy diversification, as over half of Canada's and Alberta’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be attributed to community decisions. Community energy initiatives encompass various projects, including renewable energy schemes, energy cooperatives, Indigenous-own projects, local government initiatives, microgrids, and virtual power plants.
NorQuest researchers work alongside subject matter experts in energy systems, environmental sustainability, community organizations, industry, and local and Indigenous governments to co-develop solutions to strengthen the capacity of communities to move from envisioning energy transition to sustainable results.
We engage in multi-disciplinary research and innovation projects focused on critical energy technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage, and develop tools to measure and analyze the economic, social, and environmental impacts of community energy technologies, that support data-driven decisions for Alberta’s communities.
Below is an example of an international collaboration researching best practices to support community energy transitions.
Building "Common" Wealth through Just Transitions: The Role of Anchor Institutions in Supporting Community-Led Decarbonization in Canada and the UK
This project is supported by a Knowledge Frontiers British Academy grant.
- Project leads: Martin Boucher, PhD, and Max Lacey-Barnacle, PhD
- Project duration: August 2024-May 2026
- Partner: University of Sussex
- Collaborators: Various anchor institutions and community organizations in the UK and Canada
About the project
This research project, led by Dr. Martin Boucher (NorQuest) and Dr. Max Lacey- Barnacle (University of Sussex), explores the intersection of community wealth building (CWB) and just transitions to a green economy in Canada and the UK. The study investigates how anchor institutions can facilitate community-led decarbonization efforts, ensuring that economic and social benefits are equitably distributed.
The project has three primary objectives. First, it examines how anchor institutions can support community-led energy transitions through investment, procurement, and local economic strategies. Second, it seeks to compare the role of anchor institutions in just transitions across Canada and the UK, identifying best practices and lessons learned. Finally, the research will develop policy recommendations and practical toolkits that communities and institutions can use to advance equitable decarbonization initiatives.
The project employs a comparative case study approach, utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, policy analysis, and participatory workshops. The research will engage directly with stakeholders from community energy organizations, local governments, and key institutional partners to ensure practical relevance and applicability.
This project contributes to the growing discourse on just transitions by emphasizing the importance of institutional support in fostering community-led action on the energy transition. This research aims to empower local communities and shape sustainable, equitable energy futures in Canada and the UK by bridging the gap between policy, theory, and grassroots initiatives.
Explore how community wealth building supports Canada’s net-zero goals in Policy Options magazine