The City of Kitchener and the University of Waterloo have announced a four-year research partnership to assess the municipality’s natural gas infrastructure and plan for future demand, with FCI cluster lead David Del Rey Fernández at the helm.
This first-of-its-kind partnership will model Kitchener’s natural gas infrastructure using digital twin technology to explore how shifting energy demands could shape the future of municipal utilities. Researchers on the project will focus on modelling how corrosion and degradation occur in metal and plastic pipes and on assessing the potential of new and existing sensors to improve the system’s predictive capabilities. At least three graduate or postdoctoral researchers will take part in the work. It’s a bold, data-driven step that blends real-world applications with leading-edge research, exactly the kind of work that defines us at FCI.
The city will contribute $200,000 in direct funding, along with an estimated $300,000 worth of staff time over four years. The university is expected to match that support through additional government grants.