Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET)
ACET is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through community-based collaborations.
The initiative recognizes the enduring territorial stewardship and sovereignty of Indigenous Nations, and is committed to approaches that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Established in 2023 with support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Yukon University, led by the University of Victoria.
Stories of Transformation
Study to power First Nations energy sovereignty
Indigenous communities across Canada have worked for generations against the corrosive effects of colonialism to preserve cultures steeped in millennia of history while also preparing for a prosperous, sustainable future.
Sea change in BC marine energy
The Canadian Coast Guard is exploring a new generation of clean energy technologies to displace its existing diesel generators with support from three University of Victoria (UVic)-based research institutes as part of a new project announced last month.
Clean energy found in old coal mines
Cumberland, B.C. was built on coal mining—both literally and practically. Thousands of workers were employed and millions of tonnes of coal were exported over 80 years before the mines were shuttered, leaving deep holes in the ground and a deeper void in the village’s economy.
Displaced First Nation returns home
Members of the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation return home to Yuquot, which they plan to re-occupy full-time after being displaced in the 1960s.
Areas of Expertise and Innovation
Low-carbon & offshore renewable energy tech
Harness, use and store renewables including wave, tidal, geothermal, geoexchange, hydrogen and offshore wind energy
Distributed systems and hybrid microgrids
Develop advanced microgrid and battery storage integration and management for resilient, adaptive community energy systems
Green hydrogen and e-fuels
Develop low-cost, safe and clean hydrogen solutions, and help communities determine whether hydrogen can meet their energy needs
Business & finance innovation
Innovate finance and business models while exploring equitable, impactful social enterprise potential
Integrated energy systems
Explore complex systems, place-based transformations, diverse worldviews, policy interactions and Indigeneity from a wholistic perspective
Scale-up and acceleration
Create transformation strategies scalable worldwide, empowering communities through inclusive energy solutions
With gratitude, we acknowledge that ACET research is funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
Work With Us
From ideas to impact
Work with ACET to co-create sustainable, resilient and place-based clean energy systems that reduce environmental impact and unlock new economic potential.
Land Acknowledgment
ACET acknowledges, with respect, the traditional territories of the Indigenous Peoples upon whose lands our five collaborating institutions are located: the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, Songhees Nation and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation), and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, home to the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University; the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), home to the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus; the Abenaki and the Wabenaki Confederacy, home to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières; and the 14 Yukon First Nations, home to Yukon University. We also recognize the Indigenous communities and organizations with whom we have the honour to partner in advancing community-led clean energy transformations.