Study examines EV infrastructure in Alberta


Substation Relay Protection Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
“Smart” charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) in Alberta could make the most of the province’s wind resources for electricity generation, according to a new study by the University of Calgary.

Electrical engineers at the Schulich School of Engineering found that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) could release 40 to 90 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional passenger vehicles, but the environmental impacts in the province would depend on factors such as vehicle battery size, charging time and wind production levels.

Infrastructure with “smart” charging systems would include technology with communication links to allow system operators to distribute electricity to vehicles when wind power production is at its highest, usually at night. Optimal use of clean energy is especially important in Alberta, which has the highest amount of thermally generated power in Canada. More than 90 per cent of Alberta’s electricity is produced by methods that emit greenhouse gases, including burning coal, oil or natural gas.

“The whole idea is to consume the wind power in the system as much as possible,” said Professor Mahdi Hajian, a co-author of the study. “Unfortunately, the wind is unreliable because it’s not always blowing when we need it. Smart charging systems would help us harness the wind so we can store it in the vehicles’ batteries for later use.”

The results of the study are specific to Alberta, but the researchers said the conclusions can be applied elsewhere. Other provinces should also have smart charging systems, but the need would depend on electrical load patterns and the availability of clean energy sources such as hydro.

Related News

New rules give British households right to sell solar power back to energy firms

UK Smart Export Guarantee enables households to sell surplus solar energy to suppliers, with dynamic…
View more

Trump unveils landmark rewrite of NEPA rules

Trump NEPA Overhaul streamlines environmental reviews, tightening 'reasonably foreseeable' effects, curbing cumulative impacts, codifying CEQ…
View more

How the 787 uses electricity to maximise efficiency

Boeing 787 More-Electric Architecture replaces pneumatics with bleedless pressurization, VFSG starter-generators, electric brakes, and heated…
View more

How Canada can capitalize on U.S. auto sector's abrupt pivot to electric vehicles

Canadian EV Manufacturing is accelerating with GM, Ford, and Project Arrow, integrating cross-border supply chains,…
View more

Explainer: Europe gets ready to revamp its electricity market

EU Electricity Market Reform seeks to curb gas-driven volatility by expanding CfDs and PPAs, decoupling…
View more

Extreme Heat Boosts U.S. Electricity Bills

Extreme Heat and Rising Electricity Bills amplify energy costs as climate change drives air conditioning…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified