A truly sustainable partnership

Having been partners for decades, Humber Polytechnic in Toronto and Siemens have forged a long-term strategic alliance to advance higher education and support an ambitious campus decarbonization plan.

Create academic opportunities, advancing sustainability

Today’s global challenges call for immediate action, including experiential education for tomorrow’s sustainability leaders. Strategic partnerships between higher education and technology companies help achieve these objectives.

This video was produced for Siemens AG by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions

Global megatrends, such as demographic change, urbanization, climate change and digitalization, are ushering in an array of new global challenges. Addressing these challenges will demand a significant pool of well-trained specialists capable of developing technical solutions and implementing them comprehensively.

Higher education institutions bear the responsibility of fulfilling this educational mandate while simultaneously spearheading the development of appropriate technologies and taking a practical leadership role in the journey toward decarbonization and sustainable operations.

Humber Polytechnic recognized early on that building a long-term partnership with a leading technology company like Siemens could unlock new opportunities to tackle challenges too complex to address in isolation.

Driving the energy transition in daily practice

As early as 2019, Humber held a customer value co-creation workshop in collaboration with Siemens to generate ideas and outline their practical joint implementation.

In 2021, these activities culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding, outlining the collaborative efforts between Humber and Siemens to enrich the academic curriculum and expand applied research and learning opportunities while enabling the college reach net-zero carbon for scope 1 and 2 emissions with limited use of offsets by 2050. Humber leverages Siemens domain expertise, cutting-edge technology and extensive product portfolio to enhance student engagement while fostering knowledge sharing in specific areas of mutual interest.

Notable outcomes so far include the implementation of building automation across both campuses, HVAC equipment optimization and controls upgrades and the creation of a sustainable microgrid on campus powered by distributed energy resources and including battery energy storage, EV charging stations and a load simulator.

A special highlight was the opening of the Sustainable Microgrid and Renewable Technology Lab (SMART Lab) in 2023. It provides students and external partners with hands-on experience in operating microgrid technology that grants greater control over power distribution and helps optimize consumption to minimize energy waste.

Learn more about the SMART Lab

Our energy transition to address climate change and a greener planet requires all hands on deck. This partnership with Siemens Canada will allow our students to learn about and research the latest in microgrid technology.

Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic

A smart sustainability journey with multiple facets

Humber Polytechnic is aiming to reach net-zero carbon for scope 1 and 2 emissions with limited use of offsets by 2050, and reduce energy and water usage, as well as GHG emissions, by 2034.

30% less overall GHG emissions

15% lower overall energy use

2050 is the goal

for net-zero carbon for scope 1 and 2 emissions

Humber Polytechnic implementing renewable power generation and a dedicated microgrid to achieve their sustainablity goals

Partnering with Siemens, Humber has achieved significant sustainability goals, bringing campus infrastructure up-to-date and implementing renewable power generation and a dedicated microgrid. These measures help make Humber a national leader in sustainability. Humber Polytechnic was the first in Canada to achieve Zero Carbon Design Certification and Passive House designation for its NX Building located at Humber’s north campus. These projects provide the college with OPEX savings and are transforming its two campuses into living labs for learning and research opportunities.

Siemens SIMATIC HMI panel displaying a complex system diagram with various connected components and data.

Trendsetting building automation

The most efficient Siemens Desigo building automation solutions enable Humber College to achieve its carbon reduction targets while improving both OPEX and campus resilience, for new builds and also for new renovations.

A wide shot of the University of Guelph-Humber campus with buildings, trees and a cloudy sky.

Up-to-date HVAC

HVAC equipment optimization and controls upgrades across campuses have enabled Humber to maximize cost-efficiency and ensure compliance with ASHRAE standards, providing a healthy and comfortable indoor environment on campus.

A close-up of a flower-shaped solar panel array with dark reflective surfaces under a cloudy sky.

Sustainable power generation

A microgrid system with rooftop photovoltaic panels, a Smartflower photovoltaic array and battery storage help Humber cut GHG emissions, lower energy costs and strengthen campus energy resilience while improving sustainability.

Close-up of a Siemens industrial control panel with various modules, wires and network cables.

Smart microgrid management

A SICAM A8000 microgrid controller and a Siemens-built distribution control panel at the heart of Humber’s microgrid enable smart energy management and provide the basis for the SMART lab.

A modern building with a distinctive striped facade, concrete base and lush green landscaping under a cloudy sky.

SMART Lab

The SMART Lab is a living lab that uses the wealth of data provided by the campus microgrid. It equips professionals with unique hands-on experience in microgrid technology to address the energy industry skills gap.

In order to tackle the economic, resource, and climate challenges that lie ahead, industry and academia must fast-track, test currently available technologies, and prepare students with the skills to deploy them. Our partnership helps bridge this gap, and we’re honored to have a like-minded partner in Humber Polytechnic.

Faisal Kazi, President and CEO, Siemens Canada

Humber as a highlight showcase at Hannover Messe 2025

Faisal Kazi (President and CEO of Siemens Canada) and Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan (President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic) discuss the collaboration between Humber Polytechnic, Siemens Canada and the Ontario government in opening the SMART Lab - a living laboratory for microgrid technology and sustainable energy solutions at Hannover Messe 2025.

Explore further higher education topics

Group of students sitting on a grassy lawn outside a red-brick academic building surrounded by trees.

Solution field

Campus sustainability for higher education

Advance campus sustainability, combine smart building technology and data-driven analytics to cut energy and waste while creating healthy, resilient learning spaces.

A group of people in a lab setting, working on a project with a focus on technology and innovation.

Humber SMART Lab, UK

Living lab for microgrid training and research

Powered by trendsetting technologies from Siemens, The SMART Lab at Humber Politechnic in Toronto provides hands-on education in microgrid management.

Press

Humber Polytechnic and Siemens' Net Zero Classroom

Canada

Our partnership with Humber Polytechnic earned a Clean50 Top Project Award for the Net Zero Classroom, giving students hands-on experience with solar, EV charging, battery storage, and smart grid technologies.

Let’s co-create the smart future of your campus

The strategic partnership between Humber Polytechnic and Siemens demonstrates how ambitious sustainability and educational goals can be achieved together. Ready to decarbonize your campus, lower operational costs and unlock new academic and research opportunities? Get in touch below today.