Who (proponent and key participants):This project is proposed and led by Dr. Cheng Lin (University of Victoria) as the primary applicant and project lead. The project is carried out in partnership with Kivalliq Alternative Energy Ltd. (KAE) (renewable-energy developer/owner-operator and host of the field site), PRI Engineering (PRI) (geotechnical engineering support), and Solvest Inc. (Solvest) (installation and field implementation support, as needed). The project includes structured community consultation and engagement with Naujaat organizations (e.g., the Hamlet of Naujaat), supported by KAE’s established community relationships. What (undertaking and how it will be carried out; scale; facilities; transport):The undertaking is a 60-month (5-year) applied research, field testing, and long-term monitoring program focused on foundation systems supporting green energy infrastructure (solar farms) in warming and degrading permafrost. Fieldwork will occur at an active KAE solar farm site and will include:•Deployment of distributed fibre-optic sensing (DFOS) (strain and temperature) on piles, alongside conventional sensors (e.g., vibrating-wire strain gauges, multi-bead thermistors, and moisture sensors in the active layer). DFOS enables continuous, high-resolution profiles rather than isolated point measurements.•Installation of a remote monitoring system that transmits monitoring data wirelessly to UVic for near real-time assessment of pile movement and ground thermal conditions. The monitoring equipment will be powered by the electricity generated by solar panels and housed on site (e.g., within KAE facilities), minimizing the need for new permanent structures.•Pile loading tests (axial and lateral, consistent with relevant ASTM standards) conducted once freezeback is confirmed using monitoring temperature data. Tests will be repeated after a seasonal freeze–thaw cycle to quantify capacity reduction and creep-related behavior changes.•Development and validation of numerical models (geothermal and coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical models) and translation into practitioner-ready design tools (software), design guides, and construction/monitoring protocols for resilient foundations in warming permafrost.The project is designed to be low-disturbance and non-extractive, leveraging existing infrastructure and facilities at the operating solar farm. Transportation and logistics will rely on commercial air travel to the region and local transport arranged with partners for movement between accommodation, staging/warehouse space (for sensor installation that requires warm conditions), and the site.Why (objective, need, and long-term implications):Green energy is essential for northern communities to reduce diesel reliance, strengthen energy security, and support climate commitments. However, permafrost degradation threatens foundation stability and serviceability, increasing the risk of misalignment, excessive deformation, higher maintenance costs, and potentially compromised reliability of renewable energy assets. Current design guidance for foundations in warming permafrost—especially for renewable-energy infrastructure—remains limited. This project addresses that gap by generating hard-to-obtain field datasets, quantifying how warming permafrost alters foundation response, and delivering validated models, tools, and protocols that enable more resilient design, construction, monitoring, and maintenance. Over the long term, the work supports community climate adaptation, reduces environmental impacts associated with repeated repairs/retrofits, and strengthens the reliability of critical infrastructure under rapid climate change.Where (general location relative to communities/protected areas):Field activities will take place at KAE’s solar farm site in the community of Naujaat, Nunavut, in coordination with local authorities and organizations. Work will be conducted within the footprint and operational areas of the existing development, with community consultation (Hamlet of Naujaat) and NRI licensing helping ensure appropriate awareness of local sensitivities, culturally important areas, and any relevant protected-area considerations.When (timeframe; seasonality; people involved):The overall project runs for five years. Fieldwork is concentrated in the first two years for installation (sensors) and loading tests,as well as multi-year monitoring with targeted return visits. The planned field visits and typical team composition are:•Year 1: Two trips.1.Trip 1: PhD + MASc students travel to install sensors and monitoring systems, and collect initial readings (approximately ~10 days).2.Trip 2: PhD + MASc students + one PRI engineer return to conduct the first pile loading tests after freezeback is confirmed by monitoring data (approximately ~5 days). Solvest supports on-site implementation and KAE supports site access/logistics.•Year 2: Trip 3: MASc student + one PRI engineer return to conduct the second pile loading tests after a seasonal freeze–thaw cycle (approximately ~5 days).•Years 3–5: Monitoring continues primarily via the remote system, with selective site visits to support interpretation and community knowledge mobilization:•Year 3: Trip 4: PhD student returns for observation/inspection to supplement monitoring data (approximately ~3 days).•Year 5: Trip 5: Dr. Lin returns for observation/inspection and to participate in outreach/knowledge sharing with the community (approximately ~3 days).Across the project, regular coordination meetings among the academic team and partners support progress tracking, and community meetings are planned (one prior to fieldwork and annual meetings thereafter) with accessible communication, including plain-language summaries in English and Inuktitut and local translation support. Furthermore, two local residents will be hired for assistance in sensor installation. load testing will not generate noise or vibration as it is static loading. This research will go along with the solar panel project construction by KAE. We only use two of their ongoing piles to be installed as research purposes by attaching our sensors to their piles. Their construction for both piles and solar panels have been approved, and some have been installed at the project site.