Thematic Network on Renewable Energy

Goals

Our goal is to reimagine energy security in northern and Indigenous communities by co-creating and brokering the knowledge, understanding, and capacity to design, implement and manage renewable energy systems that support and enhance social and economic values. With a robust network of academics, utilities, industry, not-for-profit, and northern and Indigenous communities around the world, we are facilitating a long-term support network that is geographically diverse and at different stages of renewables development.

Activities

The UArctic Thematic Network on Renewable Energy will pursue integrative activities across the Circumpolar North/Work in each region will be led by country-based, local study teams, working with communities and utilities. Interspersed are workshops to meet partner needs, and ensure on-going capacity development, relationship building, and knowledge mobilization.

  • Co-develop and apply tools for assessing, understanding, and enhancing the social and economic value of renewable energy in northern and Indigenous communities.
  • Determine the necessary and sufficient conditions, including common challenges and solutions, for successfully introducing renewables into the energy mix of northern and Indigenous communities.
  • Facilitate co-learning between partnered ‘sister communities’ to share knowledge and innovations that contribute to long-term sustainable energy security, through a network of model energy communities across the Circumpolar North.
  • Create a northern Circumpolar knowledge sharing platform, comprised of model community energy plans, energy transition tool-kits, and stories from international experience for communities, utilities and researchers to network, exchange knowledge and facilitate long-term capacity building.
  • Train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to transform energy systems and promote sustainable energy patterns in northern and Indigenous communities.

Other Information

Greg Poelzer, Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Renewable Energy