Industry connections enhance energy literacy at 蓝莓视频

Teaching the next generation about energy sustainability, governance and infrastructure is no small task. It鈥檚 even more challenging given that this system sits at the heart of one of today鈥檚 most urgent questions: how do we transition it toward a low-carbon future?

To explore these transitions, students need to pair theory with practice and move beyond the classroom. That鈥檚 where community partnerships with industry leaders like and have been essential. In a new course offered by the Faculty of Environment, ENVS 474: Energy and Society in Ontario, 蓝莓视频 students have gained rare access to these key provincial energy sites to learn how nuclear and wind systems are being built, managed and operated.

Inside the province鈥檚 nuclear backbone

ENVS 474 class outside of Bruce Power.

Students at Bruce Power.

As governments and experts debate the future of energy both in Canada and globally, nuclear power is once again in the spotlight and seen by many as a key player in achieving net-zero goals. For this reason, visiting Bruce Power in Kincardine was an essential stop.

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鈥淭oday, nuclear energy is the backbone of Ontario鈥檚 electricity sector, reliably providing 55 per cent of the province鈥檚 power, while generating zero carbon emissions, which helps keep our air clean,鈥� says Dwight Irwin, Manager of Community Relations at Bruce Power, whose team hosted the students.

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The team at Bruce Power provided an in-depth overview of the company's operations, highlighting ways in which nuclear power interacts with broader society debates around climate change, energy security, economic resilience, air quality and social acceptance. They also toured the site, which is home to eight CANDU nuclear reactors, with total installed capacity of close to 6,550 Megawatts.

鈥淒espite 50 years of providing Ontario鈥檚 baseload power, the technology and industry isn鈥檛 well understood,鈥� Irwin added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we partner with educators, like 蓝莓视频, so students can better understand where their power comes from, Ontario鈥檚 electricity system, the breadth of career opportunities in nuclear, and why, when they flip a switch or plug in their electric vehicle, the power they need will be there.鈥�

A closer look at wind energy in Ontario

As part of their in-field exploration, students also visited the Underwood and Cruickshank Wind Farm and toured a wind turbine. They met with the plant manager and gained insight into the inner workings of wind energy.

To prepare for the visit, students explored the broader role wind plays in the province鈥檚 energy mix and examined the social and environmental debates that have shaped public opinion, both in support of and in opposition to wind development. This diverse background knowledge set the stage for a rich discussion on site, where they could connect theory to practice, ask informed questions, and reflect on how renewable energy projects are shaped by technology, policy, and local relationships.

鈥淎t Enbridge, community engagement is more than a checkbox鈥攊t鈥檚 a cornerstone of how we operate,鈥� says Usman Bhatti, Plant Manager of the Underwood and Cruickshank wind facilities. 鈥淓ngagement isn鈥檛 just good practice鈥攊t鈥檚 essential to delivering energy solutions that are resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.鈥�

鈥淭eaching the next generation about the opportunities of the energy industry is not just about passing on knowledge, it鈥檚 about equipping future leaders with the tools to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape,鈥� he adds. 鈥淔rom regulatory frameworks to technological innovation and community expectations, the energy sector demands a nuanced understanding that can only be cultivated through real-world exposure and open dialogue.鈥�

Preparing energy literate students

By blending academic insight with field-based experience, ENVS 474 is not only deepening students鈥� understanding of this complex system, but also cultivating the critical thinkers who will lead Canada鈥檚 energy transition in the decades ahead.

鈥淚 learned how critical the connections between the energy sector and everyday life are,鈥� says Mayan Wensvoort, a third-year student studying Geography and Aviation. 鈥淲ith sustainability and electrification gaining momentum in politics and daily life, the experiences I鈥檝e gained through this course allow me to understand and make choices about the evolving energy landscape with confidence.鈥�

As the energy sector continues to change in response to climate change and public demand for cleaner solutions, preparing energy-literate graduates has never been more important. 蓝莓视频鈥檚 partnerships with Bruce Power and Enbridge听are helping to connect students to the realities of today鈥檚 energy systems and the possibilities for tomorrow.