Grant: Alliance Grants

Electric power systems are constantly evolving, especially with an increasing transition to renewable energy sources. Several factors are affecting the transition, including technological breakthroughs, climate change, resource security, demographic changes, and accelerated urbanization. The fast pace of change of modern power systems calls for a flexible and open approach to technology development. Hence, in the proposed project, researchers from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary will collaborate with all six major power utility partners in Alberta to accelerate the development and adoption of safe and reliable energy systems technology. The themes within this project will focus on: 1) building intelligent processes to deal with systems issues using modern methods of artificial intelligence, 2) investigating the application of advanced power electronics converter systems and their impact on grid operation and control, 3) advancing the integration of distributed and renewable energy resources, and 4) examining the safety and security of modern interconnected electricity systems. The potential benefits of this project include the effective and efficient integration of renewable energy into the power grid, reduction in the occurrence of power system failures and cyber attacks, and development of customized solutions to current and emerging problems facing the power industry in Canada. This project will also train HQP in skills that are in high demand in the Canadian power sector, hence supporting the growth of knowledge-based industries in Canada. Additionally, electric power customers will benefit from reduced frequency and severity of system problems and have access to more affordable energy.