Source: Siemens

Project Title: Development of a Data-driven Model Predictive Control (MPC) for Smart Waste-to-Energy Value Chain Management for Northern Communities of Quebec

Funding: $80,000 (2021-2023)

Project Partners:

Concordia University – SEISE Lab The Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Systems Engineering Lab (SEISE), led by Dr. Nasiri, is at the forefront of systems engineering solutions for sustainable energy applications: http://users.encs.concordia.ca/~fuzhan/

Project Team

The research partnership team involves Dr. Fuzhan Nasiri (PI) and Dr. Fariborz Haghighat (Co-PI) and a postdoctoral fellow (TBA) at Concordia University.

Project Description

The majority of the waste generated across the northern Quebec communities ends up in waste dumps. By creating the capacities and facilities across the region to convert a portion of the generated waste (i.e. organic waste) into bioenergy, the communities will have access to a local source of energy. This contributes to creating a circular economy enhancing energy security and year-around community self-sufficiency in terms of energy sources, creation of local jobs, as well as the protection of the environment and local lands which are of great indigenous importance. The operational barrier to such a transition (from an economy of scale perspective) is the dispersion and small scale of waste streams. This research program is to propose design, testing, and validation of an AI-based model predictive control (MPC) system for waste-to-energy conversion and value-chain management and coordination. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to research activities at two research labs at Concordia; Sustainable Energy and Infrastructure Systems Engineering (SEISE) lab directed by Dr. Fuzhan Nasiri and Energy & Environment lab directed by Dr. Fariborz Haghighat. The project will contribute in expanding the critical mass and research trajectory on smart community solutions for energy security and resiliency in Northern Canada.