Funded in partnership with NSERC and Mitacs, the three-year project is moving from broad national climate models (100 km resolution) to detailed, local ones—3 km for Calgary and 10 km for southern Alberta. The result: more precise data to help plan for extreme heat, storms and other climate impacts at the community level.

Year 1 was all about collecting data—including taking tree ring samples—and running the model through Simon Fraser University’s Cedar, a supercomputer capable of processing terabytes of climate data (one of the most the most powerful of its kind in Canada). This spring, the model run was completed, projecting Calgary’s climate all the way to the year 2100.

We’re now working with researchers to translate terabytes of data into usable maps and information. This data—showing temperature projections, frequency and severity of extreme weather events and changes to precipitation which will inform flood and drought probability—will help us assess the risk posed by a changing climate to Calgary's electrical infrastructure.

Next year, we’ll focus on training and knowledge transfer—making sure ENMAX employees and partners can interpret and use the findings to plan a resilient and reliable electricity grid for Calgary and area.

It’s all about lighting the way for a climate-resilient future.