A Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED)
We have built a city-scale, innovation platform for energy system design.
Located next to a sub-station at the corner of Wesbrook Mall and Thunderbird Boulevard on our Vancouver campus, the project will transform a city block into a smart-energy district.
We have integrated common urban assets (e.g., electric vehicles, hydrogen refuelling stations, solar plants and buildings) to develop new technologies and economic models for individuals, cities and utilities. Download a project summary ⇩
A place for community
The SHED links two narratives —technology and people.
It provides a space to gather, engage and think deeply about the way we want to live.
An innovation platform
The SHED will launch new partnerships, business models, and spinoff ventures.
It provides a platform to demonstrate de-risked and scalable climate solutions.
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Clean, connected and safe infrastructure
Renewable electricity generation has matured after dramatic cost reductions in the last decade. The sector is ready for breakthroughs at the city scale.
We develop technologies, software, and systems linking transportation assets to a 1 MW photovoltaic array (as a proxy for renewable solutions at maturity, and with reliable cost, financing and performance models). Vehicles, refuelling stations and buildings will become active participants in utility-scale energy management. -
Batteries on wheels
Cars can remain stationary for more than 80% of the time, and most buildings are empty at night. By aggregating the battery capacity in each car, we can enable large-scale energy storage in a parking garage.
Anticipating the electrification and digitization of urban mobility, we develop new technologies and business models for smart urban infrastructure. -
Beyond renewable electricity
Renewable electricity is great. However, the largest demand for energy is not electricity. Several sectors (air and surface transport, space heating, air conditioning, steel production, etc.) require a chemical fuel. Hydrogen is the simplest (and cleanest) chemical fuel. It can be produced from electricity and water in large quantities.
We are exploring low- and zero-carbon pathways to produce hydrogen, including normal and supercritical water electrolysis. -
The other electric vehicle
Hydrogen fuel cells can link renewable electricity to heavy-duty applications like trucks, ships, and airplanes. We built a hydrogen refueling station on campus to service light- and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles. -
Power to gas
We will convert solar and hydro-electricity into hydrogen and explore opportunities to decarbonize space heating using natural gas blends, or pure hydrogen. -
Breakthrough hydrogen technologies
We are developing low- and zero-carbon pathways for hydrogen production and storage. We will test and validate performance and business cases in an integrated system. -
Digitizing the low-carbon economy
UBC is a founding partner of Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, and in 2019, it became the first 5G campus in Canada.
Our testbed will enable the natural evolution of energy infrastructure: from passive assets into a seamless network of people, information, technologies, and services. -
Smartphones on wheels
Cars are becoming smart, interconnected and shared. We are using machine learning to evaluate the impact of electric, connected and autonomous vehicles on the built environment. We will use these models to evaluate the most effective deployment policies.
Partnership opportunities
Watch this video to see how it all fits together, and how the potential solutions may be relevant to you.
Download a project summary ⇩ and contact us to explore current opportunities.
Status
The construction is complete, and the project has attracted national and international attention.
The first spinoff company has been launched, and we look forward to finding partners to capitalise on the significant opportunities in a low-carbon economy.
Governments
Develop evidence-based policies for clean growth under low-carbon policies.
Cities
Become partners in pilot projects for regional economic development
Investors
Capitalise on de-risked opportunities under our accelerated innovation models
Industry
Develop breakthrough solutions across the supply chains for clean energy systems
Utilities
Benefit from a mid-scale installation in a low-risk demonstration site
Researchers
Collaborate in breakthrough research for climate action
2360 East Mall
Vancouver, B.C.
V6T 1Z3 Canada
+1-604-827-2932
info@meridalabs.ca
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