We were delighted to highlight our recently hosted panel discussion. The event convened leading professionals from AI, energy utilities, and data center operations to explore how Alberta’s frigid climate, extensive natural resources, and competitive energy infrastructure played a crucial role in meeting the surging demand for gigawatt-scale AI computing. A special thanks to our esteemed speakers and moderator: Robert (Rob) Baker (Alberta Innovates), Cameron Bush (AESO), Darin DuMontier (PowerHouse Group), James Crossman (PowerHouse Group), Xiaoqi Tan (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii)), and Yunwei Ryan Li. The discussion explored the expansion of AI data centers in Alberta, innovations in energy storage and cooling solutions, AI-driven load forecasting, and system efficiencies. These advancements are essential for enabling data centers to manage immense power requirements while bolstering energy stability and sustainability. Despite the rapid advancement of AI hardware and shifting energy market dynamics, our panel emphasized the necessity of sustained research and development to ensure Alberta remains a leader in this evolving landscape. We were energized by the potential for novel research pathways and strategic collaborations that will propel both innovation and responsible AI infrastructure growth. Best Regards, IEEE NCS PELS IEEE NCS YP (co-sponsored)

Aether Tech Conference & Career Fair 2024: Post-Event Recap On November 22, 2024, the Aether Tech Conference & Career Fair took place at the University of Alberta, bringing together students, researchers, and professionals from Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Computer Science (CS). IEEE NCS, IEEE UofA Student Branch and PELS Chapter were proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the event. Dr. Yuzhuo Li, representing IEEE NCS, delivered a technical talk titled: 🎤 Powering AI: AI Power Consumption and Its Potential Impact to the Power Grids This engaging session explored the intricate interplay between AI energy consumption and its implications for modern power grid systems, emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency in AI technologies. The talk attracted 20-30 attendees, fostering lively discussions and insightful questions from the audience. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the event. We look forward to collaborating at future conferences and continuing the conversation on AI’s role in shaping our energy future!

Hey IEEE NCS PELS members, We hope you're excited for PELS Day 2024! This year, we're hosting a fun networking session and pizza lunch just for you. Event Details: Date & Time: June 28th, 2024, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm Location: University of Alberta (DICE 8-207) Lunch: Pizza, drinks, and chips Our theme this year is "Get to Know Your PELS Community at UofA." We have several main power electronics research groups at UofA. We welcome group members to this networking event to share thoughts and make friends. It’s a great way to learn about cool projects and maybe even find new collaborators. Mark your calendars! This is a perfect chance to meet new people and catch up with the PELS community. See you on June 28th! Cheers, IEEE NCS PELS Chapter