Paul Parker

Room EVO-1003, ext. 42791
pparker@uwaterloo.ca

Paul’s research focuses on building sustainable communities by creating win-win opportunities for the environment and economy. He is particularly concerned with how local economic development strategies can achieve a sustainable future. Sustainable energy systems are an essential starting point, so he looks first at conservation and improving energy efficiency, then at renewable energy sources and smart grid networks as integral parts of community energy plans.

Paul combines his strong research background with direct experience engaging local representatives from communities across Canada and overseas to envision and build local capacity, vitality and sustainability. Recently he has lead economic development seminars in Edmonton, Iqaluit, Inuvik, Fort McMurray, Halifax, Saskatoon, Stratford, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Quebec City and Whitehorse.

Prof. Parker holds a joint appointment in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (profile).

Key Areas of Graduate Supervision
Renewable energy policy, sustainability. Residential retrofits and carbon migration. Green economy and local economic development.

Recent Courses Taught
GEOG/LED 685: Theory of Local Economic Development
GEOG/LED 686: Practice of Local Economic Development
GEOG 669: Energy and Sustainability
GEOG 459: Energy and Sustainability

Research Interests
Sustainable energy policy, Sustainable community development and the green economy, Regional initiatives, Residential retrofits and Low-carbon futures.

Recent Publications

• Lazowski, B., Parker, P., Rowlands, I. 2018. Towards a smart and sustainable residential energy culture: assessing participant feedback from a long-term smart grid pilot project. Energy, Sustainability and Society. 8:27 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-018-0169-9

• Karanasios, K, Parker, P. 2018. Technical solution or wicked problem?: Diverse perspectives on indigenous community renewable electricity in Northern Ontario. Journal of Enterprising  Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-11-2017-0085

• Mitchell, B., Parker, P. 2017. Energy geography: Adopting and adapting resource management perspectives. in Solomon, B. and Calvert, K. (eds.) Handbook on the Geographies of Energy. Edward Elgar Publishing. Northampton, MA, USA. Pp. 515-526.

• Karanasios, K, Parker, P. 2018. Tracking the transition to renewable electricity in remote indigenous communities in Canada. Energy Policy. 118: 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.03

• Hoicka, C., Parker, P. 2017 Assessing the adoption of the house as a system approach to residential energy efficiency programs. Energy Efficiency. pp. 1-19. DOI 10.1007/s12053-017-9564-x

• Kantor, I., Rowlands, I., Parker, P. 2017. Aggregated and Disaggregated Correlations of Household Electricity Consumption with Time-of-Use Shifting and Conservation, Energy and Buildings. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.054

• Shulist, J., Rowlands, I.H., Parker, P. 2016 Engaging Ontario householders in the smart grid. Municipal World 126 (1) 19-22.

• Aydinalp Koksal, M., Rowlands, I. H., Parker, P. 2015 Energy, Cost, and Emission End-use Profiles of Homes: An Ontario (Canada) Case Study. Applied Energy 142 pp. 303-16. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.12.077

• Kantor, I., Rowlands, I., Parker, P., Lazowski, B., 2015. Economic Feasibility of Residential Electricity Storage Systems in Ontario, Canada Considering Two Policy Scenarios. Energy and Buildings. 86 pp.222-232. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.10.022 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778814008676

• Rowlands, I. H., Reid, T., Parker, P. 2014. Research with disaggregated electricity end-use data in households: Review and recommendations. Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment. DOI: 10.1002/wene.151

• Hoicka, C., Parker, P., Andrey, J. 2014. Residential energy efficiency retrofits: How program design affects participation and outcomes. Energy Policy 65 (0) (Feb.): 594–607. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.053.