Humber Polytechnic and Siemens Canada’s Net Zero Classroom
Named to Canada’s Clean50 Top Projects for 2025
November 6, 2024
Hands-on opportunities prepare learners for a low-carbon future
Building on their long-standing, deep strategic partnership, Humber Polytechnic and Siemens Canada have earned national recognition with a Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Award for their innovative collaboration on a Net Zero Classroom. This award celebrates the impact of teaching students about microgrids and renewable energy systems to build the next generation of energy leaders, while filling a critical gap in industry knowledge.
The Net Zero Classroom is designed to inspire students by offering hands-on learning opportunities in real-time energy production and consumption. Students gain training experience with solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, microgrids, battery storage, and smart grids, providing them with the technical skills needed in today’s energy sector.
Humber and Siemens Canada are working together to give students a head start in the skills needed for the green transition. At Humber’s North campus, Humber and Siemens worked together to develop the Sustainable Microgrid and Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab, a state-of-the-art facility where students can interact with advanced energy systems.
“At Humber, we know what is right for our planet,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. “We are committed to equipping our students with the skills needed to be adaptable and resilient in their careers as new technologies disrupt the status quo. The SMART Lab is an example of how we are building brilliance at Humber, where hands-on learning will shape Canada’s clean energy future.”
This partnership demonstrates Humber’s broader partnership strategy to solve the wicked challenges society and businesses are facing. Together, Siemens and Humber are leading and empowering young Canadians to contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon future, and are prepared for careers in renewable energy and smart grid technologies. This partnership provides a roadmap for other post-secondary institutions on how to cultivate deep, mutually beneficial partnerships with industry to meet evolving educational and industry demands.
“Preparing Canada for a low-carbon future is a complex effort, and it requires an ever-growing system of partners willing to collaborate on innovative ideas and business models,” says Faisal Kazi, President and CEO, Siemens Canada. “Siemens is proud to partner with Humber Polytechic in offering students access to technologies that equip them for careers vital to our climate change response and energy economy.”
Humber’s recently announced Building Brilliance vision strives towards three pillars: reimagining learning, forging deeper partnerships and driving impact. Through this bold strategy, Humber is charting a forward-thinking path to address the challenges facing our communities, businesses, and industries.
About Humber Polytechnic
Humber is Canada’s competitive advantage. Like the world around us, we’re constantly in motion, creating a new expectation for education, while helping solve Canada’s wicked productivity problem. More than just a place to learn, it’s a place to belong. Offering the largest depth and breadth of programming to more than 86,000 learners, Humber is pioneering innovative and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. With the support of our deep-rooted industry connections, dedicated faculty, and amazing staff, at Humber, we build brilliance every single day. Visit humber.ca to learn more.
About Siemens Canada
Siemens Canada is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility and healthcare. The company’s purpose to is to create technology with purpose, transforming the everyday, for everyone, since 1912. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more liveable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.
In fiscal 2024, which ended September 30, 2024, Siemens Canada had revenues of approx. $2.2 billion CAD. The company has approximately 4,300 employees from coast-to-coast and 37 office and production facilities across Canada.
More Information
Learn more details on the SMART Lab.
More information on the Humber and Siemens partnership.
Related Story
Smart Lab Opens at Humber College’s North Campus
Humber College and Siemens Canada have developed a Sustainable Microgrid and Renewable Technology (SMART) Lab that will be used to teach students about microgrids.
Microgrids are systems that reliably manage the generation, storage and consumption of energy. Essentially, they’re small-scale power grids that can operate on their own or as part of a larger grid.
