A new research agreement will see the City of Kitchener and the University of Waterloo team up to help assess the municipality’s natural gas infrastructure and plan for future demand.

The four-year partnership — the first of its kind between the city and the university — includes the development of a “digital twin” model of the city’s network of pipes using simulation software.

The model can be used to simulate changes to the network under different demand scenarios and determine the optimal placement of sensors to develop predictive models, a report to council said.

Kitchener Utilities is one of only two municipal-owned natural gas utilities in Ontario.

A separate process is underway to develop a clean energy transition strategy for the utility. How much natural gas is used by homes

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