We use energy to cook food, to warm our houses in winter and cool them in summer, for lighting, transportation, and in the extraction and processing of resources into items we use on a daily basis. Overall, energy use accounts for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Using energy more efficiently will help reduce energy consumption. IEESC’s Integrated Canadian Energy Modeling (ICEM) System looks at how we use energy in our cities and regions and gives a scientific basis to guide energy management and policy making to reduce consumption.
Energy systems are complex and have many uncertainties. The ICEM System takes features of energy and environment systems and links them to energy forecasting, community data, adaptation planning, etc. into a general framework. Combined impacts of climate, population growth and economic development can be incorporated into this framework to support decision making for public policy makers, staff and officials from government and industrial sectors.
Models have been customized for the cities of Regina, Waterloo, Toronto-Niagara region, Waterloo-Kitchener region, and the provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, and Yukon territory.
Funded by: Environment Canada and local and provincial governments in SK, ON, Toronto, Waterloo, MB, YT, Beijing, Taiwan.