WHO WE ARE

The Clean Energy Research Group (CERG) is a non-profit volunteer-based group associated with Simon Fraser University (SFU) dedicated to studying the challenges and opportunities for the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable, clean energy systems.

CERG was created from SFU's Innovation and Development lab (iiDevLab) in 2018 with initial financial support from the SFU and Willow Grove Foundation. Headed by Professor Anil (Andy) Hira at SFU, CERG members have a unique combination of technical/engineering, social science/policy, project management, and sustainable community development skills and experience. We have expertise in energy and climate change; mining and natural resource governance; technology and innovaton; and economic development policies.

OUR VALUES

CERG does not seek revenues or profit, only cost recovery. CERG seeks out donations and grants from diverse sources to fund its activities. CERG does not affiliate with any company or government.

We offer a neutral expert opinion and seek to connect dots and distill lessons to improve policies as well as to help communities. We seek to move academic and theoretical discussion into the sphere of practical action and policy decision-making and to improve public knowledge about climate change solutions.

WHAT WE DO

CERG offers expert advice to policymakers and the media around the world on climate change and renewable energy and mining policy.

CERG is a collaboration space for policy discussion and working papers around renewable energy and climate change. We particularly promote student and junior researchers and practitioners in early stage career development. The monthly forum allows presenters to test out their ideas with a diverse set of academic and practioner experts on climate change. 

Seminars are open to everyone. Where possible, we will use the forum as a way to develop working papers for the CERG website, designed to engage public policy through presenting research in a pragmatic and thoughtful way. Contact Andy Hira for details.

CERG reaches out to potential global partners for collaborative research and projects. CERG’s current focus is to examine policies and projects that promote a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. CERG is particularly interested in working with off-grid comunities, both in Canada and globally, as they often rely upon fossil fuels/biomass for electricity generation. CERG can offer short- or long-term training for professionals interested in learning more about renewable energy, from the technical, financial, policy, or social perspectives.

CERG continually seeks out grants and operating funds to support its activities.

CERG has a holistic approach to clean energy transition in remote communities that promotes local development and acts as a model for others by:

• Examining off-grid communities who have already made the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, to distill and share lessons.
• Analyzing and weighing in on policy, and how it could better promote the transition, through comparative studies.
• Acting as an intermediary to off-grid communities interested in making the transition, but wanting advice or assistance in securing technical, financial, and/or policy support.
• Documenting the holistic benefits of clean energy beyond emissions and finances, including spillover effects on community development, adherence to indigenous values, and promoting transition policies.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

We have or can find the expertise to solve a wide array of energy- and economic development-related issues. Here are some examples of what we can do:

• Assist communities to create clean energy plans and projects, and tie them to more general economic development goals.
• Document, assess, and analyse sustainable energy projects, policies, and regulations to provide recommendations and lessons.
• Help you to find the right experts in clean energy on a wide variety of topics.
  

CONTACT US if you are interested in exploring collaboration possibilities, or just want to learn more about our research.