The University of Calgary is setting up a new hub focusing on electricity systems. Electricity demand is expected to spike with the establishment of AI data centres, creating concerns that higher demand will lead to higher costs for Albertans. The Electricity Centre will bring together experts from various fields to explore electricity -- from both renewable and non-renewable sources -- and research affordable ways of bringing it to consumers. “What the centre is really going to do is bring together researchers from across disciplines -- engineers working with lawyers working with social scientists -- to answer questions that are relevant for industry,” said the U of C’s Sara Hastings-Simon, “to make sure that we understand how best we can build out our electricity system while ensuring that we keep reliable and affordable energy.” The centre has already held an “electricity camp” at the Banff Centre, where experts explored the rise of data centres, renewable energy and other topics in the field.
