Campus Energy Living Lab

Red Deer Polytechnic’s Campus Energy Living Lab (CELL) functions as a de facto micro-grid mimicking a small-town electrical distribution system, integrating 1.6 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity, a 1 MW combined heat and power unit, and 190 kWh of battery storage.

A core advantage of the CELL is our ability to "island" specific sections of the campus. This capability allows researchers to safely test grid protection technologies, control algorithms, and automation systems in an operational setting without affecting the wider public grid. This environment effectively bridges the gap between laboratory research and commercial implementation, offering international partners a platform to de-risk new technologies before large-scale deployment.

In today's rapidly evolving energy landscape, data plays a crucial role in driving innovation and optimizing the performance of sustainable energy systems. The Energy Innovation Centre at RDP leverages the vast amounts of data generated by our on-campus renewable energy installations and through collaborations with industry partners to develop valuable insights and best practices.

Our applied research services utilize real-time data from these interconnected campus systems to provide third-party validation and performance benchmarking. Clients can leverage this infrastructure to analyze how their solutions perform, ensuring they meet the requirements for resilient and reliable energy delivery.

By collaborating with our expert team, partners gain access to an open innovation ecosystem where solutions are co-created to meet specific industrial and regulatory needs. The CELL provides the practical insights and data-driven results required to move emerging technologies from theory to tangible market impact.