Energizing tomorrow: Waterloo students forge path to clean energy
By: Krista Henry
Students help CanmetENERGY meet net zero goals.
CanmetENERGY is investing in the future of clean energy with the help of student talent. Co-op students at the organization work on finding new solutions to help the steel industry reach its net zero carbon emissions goal. As a research centre of Natural Resources Canada, CanmetENERGY Metallurgical Fuels Lab is leading research and technology development related to energy efficiency in steel production.
“The Canadian steel industry has committed to the goal of ethical, low carbon emissions across the nation by 2050,” says Ka Wing Ng, research scientist at CanmetENERGY. “What we’re doing, with the help of students, is supporting the industry in reaching that goal.”
CanmetENERGY has been hiring Waterloo co-op students for more than ten years. Each term, Engineering and Science students work as research assistants at the organization. Their work includes investigating carbon capture from steel processes, renewable energy and microbial energy technologies.
This new generation has a different perspective or way of seeing the same problem. New challenges need a new way to address them, so it’s good to bring in students and give them the opportunity to bring their vision to the challenge.
Filling the talent gap
Developing the next generation of talent in the steel industry is necessary as companies worldwide face a shortage of talent according to the World Steel Organization. Fields that need this talent include metallurgy, materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering and mathematics.
“In Canada, the steel industry has a workforce that includes many at the age of retirement. This demographic shift highlights the need to hire emerging talent. At CanmetENERGY, we use co-op students to develop the next generation of researchers,” says Ng.
“We want to give students the chance to explore what the steel industry is all about. They also play a big role in getting things done.” Students at CanmetENERGY work closely with industry partners and learn how to use new technologies including laboratory equipment.
At the end of their work term, students can volunteer to present to other research scientists and discuss their projects. The presentations and interactions with other scientists give students an opportunity to learn more about the subject while also developing their communication skills.
Quinn Wesener, Chemical Engineering co-op student working as an intern with the Metallurgical Fuels Research Group in the CanmetENERGY lab
“Communication is very important. Even if you have a brilliant idea, if you don’t know how to communicate it to people, it’s useless,” says Ng. “You must find ways for people to understand what you’re doing and what you’re trying to deliver. I always emphasize this with my students.”
In the last several years, Ng has prioritized hiring co-op students on their first work term who have little to no experience. He strongly believes in giving students the experience they need to succeed. In Ng’s experience, first work term students demonstrate initiative and are not afraid to ask questions. Typically, students at CanmetENERGY spend their work terms operating various apparatus in the lab and collecting data.
Waterloo co-op students make valuable contributions across the various research areas at the organization. “Waterloo students have good background fundamental science knowledge as well as strong computer skills,” says Ng. “They develop programs with complex calculations that we use in our work. A lot of them work very hard and they are so happy to see the outcome of their work.”
Passion for climate action
Another standout aspect of working with today’s emerging talent is their passion for environmental concerns. Ng has seen first-hand students’ passion for the environment and awareness of the impacts of the climate crisis.
He believes this awareness drives students to contribute to CanmetENERGY’s mission because they understand the bigger picture of sustainable development. “Our co-op students see the link between their work and contributions to Canada’s future,” says Ng. “The interest in this area is definitely clear to see.”