Renewable energy originates from natural processes that replenish themselves at a rate equal to or faster than their consumption. It encompasses various sources powered directly or indirectly by the sun or by heat from within the Earth.
Carl Ho is a professor and Canada research chair in the department of electrical and computer engineering in the U of M’s Price faculty of engineering.
“When I was a kid, I liked to disassemble any electrical device to see what’s inside,” he said. “I chose electrical engineering because I wanted to [understand] the theory behind that and why it is operating. I wanted to know the principle of operation for electrical devices.”
Ho is currently conducting research in renewable energy and electric vehicles, focusing primarily on power electronics.
In June 2021, the Government of Canada enacted the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which legally commits the country to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This legislation ensures both transparency and accountability as the government pursues its climate goals. It also requires public participation and independent advice to effectively guide Canada’s efforts to reduce emissions.
Ho emphasized the importance of achieving zero emissions in Canada and globally. He stated that strict regulations are in place to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Net-zero emissions refer to balancing greenhouse gases by either reducing them or offsetting them through methods such as planting trees or using carbon capture technology. This approach is essential for ensuring a safe and livable future.
With about 25 years remaining, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are crucial. Ho explained that we can establish a sustainable energy system by converting solar and wind energy into electricity and supplying it to the grid.
One way to reduce the carbon footprint is by using cleaner fuels. He mentioned electric vehicles as a significant solution in cutting carbon emissions.
“We are working on how to design electric vehicles, especially for chargers,” Ho said. “[We want to] make charging quicker so people don’t need to wait for a long time [and then] we can make electric vehicles more efficient.”
Ho’s research focuses on making technology more affordable, efficient and convenient. For example, his team is exploring ways to recharge mobile batteries without any contact or wireless chargers.
He added that their long-term objective is to “make everything [powered by] electric power.” Ho said that extending electrification beyond vehicles to include aeroplane and marine transportation, would be very promising. “[This way] we can make everything sustainable,” he expressed.
Ho noted that, someday, we can generate power from the sun or the wind to make life more convenient and support electricity needs. This energy is accessible everywhere, including remote areas, isolated islands and highways. In the future, such energy sources will play a crucial role in electrical systems, making them more sustainable and efficient.
Ho emphasized that research can be challenging and often involves complex mathematics. However, he focuses on people-oriented research on advanced technology to improve people’s daily life.
“I think everyone has [the] responsibility to help our world and to improve our living environments,” he said. “That’s why I hope everyone will start to think about how we can reduce carbon emissions from energy generation to energy unionization, [focusing] more about renewable energy and electric vehicles.”
