Shafquat Rana

Shafquat Rana

Decarbonization of Canadian Houses with Integrated Solar Photovoltaics, Heat Pump, and Thermal Battery Systems

My research focuses on integration of solar photovoltaics (PV), heat pumps (HP), and thermal batteries (TB) for decarbonization of residential sectors in Canada. This sustainable system uses solar-generated electricity to run the HP to supply the space and water heating, while storing excess energy in TBs to improve reliability and reduce the grid dependency. The preliminary result of my study shows that combining PV and HP systems can achieve 30.6% self-sufficiency and 30.2% self-consumption whereas the PV+HP powered house can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to a conventional natural gas-heated home. Optimization of these systems under Canada’s extreme climate conditions to ensure consistent year-round performance plays important role. My ongoing research explores the integration of TBs with PV+HP systems to further enhance energy storage, reduce peak load demand, and increase grid resilience. This work supports Canada’s net-zero goals through practical, scalable, and sustainable residential energy solutions.

Shafquat Rana
PhD candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Faculty of Engineering - Western University

Supervisors
Joshua Pearce

Shafquat Rana is a dedicated researcher and Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Western University, specializing in renewable energy systems, data analysis, and sustainable building technologies. With a background in power engineering and power system management from her bachelor’s and master’s studies, Shafquat has developed expertise in the field. As part of her current Ph.D. project, she collaborates with industry partners to translate her research into real-world applications. She is passionate about using green technology to create positive change in the built environment and is committed to advancing innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. Shafquat welcomes collaboration and connections with researchers, professionals, and organizations committed to advancing sustainability.

Shafquat's research is highlighted in episode 522 of GradCast, the official podcast of the Society of Graduate Students at Western University.

You can connect with Shafquat on LinkedIn or by email.

View Shafquat's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection.