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Award details

NSERC Smart Microgrid Network (NSMG-Net)
Research details
Application ID 397814-2010
Competition year 2010
Fiscal year 2010-2011
Project lead name Farhangi, Hassan
Institution British Columbia Institute of Technology
Department Group for Advanced Information Technology
Province British Columbia
Award amount CA$554,625
Installment 1 - 6
Program Strategic Network Grants Program
Selection committee Strategic Network Grants
Research subject Electrical and electronic engineering
Area of application Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use)
Co-researchers
  • Bhattacharya, Kankar
  • Gole, Aniruddha
  • Iravani, Reza
  • Joos, Géza
  • LeNgoc, Tho
  • Meng, Julian
  • Michelson, David
  • Xu, Wilsun
  • Yazdani, Amirnaser
Partners
  • Ballard Power Systems Inc.
  • BC Hydro
  • Cyme International Inc.
  • Eion Inc.
  • Endurance Windpower Inc.
  • Hydro One Networks Inc
  • Hydro-Quebec
  • IBM Canada Ltd
  • Independent Electricity System Operator
  • Manitoba HVDC Research Center
  • McGill University
  • National Research Council of Canada
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Nebula Manufacturing Inc.
  • New Brunswick Power
  • OCE Inc.
  • Ontario Power Authority
  • Powertech Labs Inc.
  • Schneider Electric Canada
  • The University of Western Ontario
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of New Brunswick
  • University of Toronto
  • Xantrex Technology Inc.
Award summary The NSERC Smart Microgrid Network (NSMG-Net) is developing technologies, in partnership with Canadian power utility companies, that will establish Canada's next generation electricity system, the Smart Grid. Comprised of a network of integrated intelligent Microgrids, Canada's Smart Grid will allow unprecedented efficiencies in the development, application and utilization of Canada's energy resources. It will enable the Canadian power industry achieve energy security, conservation and reduced carbon footprints. The technologies and solutions to be developed by NSMG-Net will be the key to the evolution of the Smart Grid in Canada.

The technologies required to develop Intelligent Microgrids are still in the research phase. Focused research in suitable Microgrid technologies with respect to Canadian climate, terrain and available energy sources is required. Such technologies also need to be tested, verified and qualified in a near-real environment before utility companies would consider incorporating them in their business operations. Due to the critical nature of the services provided by utilities, controlled qualification of new technologies within a real Microgrid is the pre-requisite for their successful implementation in the field.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is in the process of building Canada's first Intelligent Microgrid infrastructure on its Burnaby campus. It is implementing an Intelligent Microgrid testbed in close collaboration with BC Hydro and a large number of Canadian high-tech companies. The testbed is an ideal environment for the integration, testing and qualification of technologies and solutions required for Canada's future Smart Grid. Capitalizing on this, NSMG-Net will develop the necessary technologies for realizing Canada's next generation Smart Grid through an innovative multi-disciplinary research program.