Grant: Research Tools and Instruments
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
$148,310.00
STATE-OF-THE-ART TEST EQUIPMENT FOR A SMART TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION AND ENERGY RESEARCH (STEER) LABORATORY
FY 2015-16
Summary
The requested specialized equipment will be used for the development of an exclusive research laboratory in the up-and-coming areas of transportation electrification, energy storage systems, and smart grid. The specialized apparatus will be housed in the new Smart Transportation Electrification and Energy Research (STEER) laboratory, which spans 300m2 in area. The PI, Dr. Sheldon Williamson, is confident that the RTI-funded STEER lab will put UOIT firmly on the map as one of Canada’s leading institutions to offer a comprehensive research program in transportation electrification. The new STEER lab will also benefit UOIT in terms of developing a niche research thrust in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging – plugged and wireless charging, advanced energy storage systems – batteries and ultracapacitors (UCs), and integrated smart grid energy research. In essence, the STEER lab will represent the first full-scale Canadian electric transportation testing and validation center as well as an exclusive training ground for highly qualified personnel (HQP). The requested equipment will specifically aid in setting up experimental test rigs for photovoltaic (PV) charging of EVs/microgrid setups, wireless charging using inductive power transfer (IPT), and associated power electronic converter designs. The setup will also expedite testing and validation of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery modules and high power-density UC systems, especially for electric mass transit (buses and trains) as well as smart grid peak-power shaving applications. The equipment will help train graduate students and technicians in performing realistic studies in various aspects of transportation electrification, which would otherwise have to depend solely on simulations.
Dr. Williamson currently supervises 7 Ph.D./6 M.A.Sc. Students, and 1 Post-doc. In May 2016, 3 more Ph.D. students will join the group. Dr. Williamson’s graduate students will use the equipment to perform integrated research on Li-ion battery management, UC power management, PV/EV/Grid charging (including vehicle-to-grid, V2G power flow), and wireless EV charging. Dr. Morsi and Dr. Sidhu currently co-supervise 2 Ph.D. Students in the areas of grid-connected EVs; they will instantly be able to experimentally verify their EV/Grid power quality/protection algorithms. Since the group’s activities are unique and shared between the researchers, the equipment will be fully utilized by the entire group as well. The requested equipment will also be used for non-proprietary testing by the STEER group industry partners: Panasonic-Canada, Oshawa PUC, Hydro-One, Toronto-Hydro, GE, Bombardier Transportation, Delta-Q, GM, and Ford.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
RTI-2016-00641
Name nom
Williamson, Sheldon
Department département
Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of - Engineering and Applied Science, F
Organization id
19222
Institution établissement
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2015
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
148310
Program id
RTI
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1609
Committee name en
Engineering (RTI)
Committee name fr
Génie (OIR)
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
2517
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Industrial and power electronics
Research subject fr
Électronique de puissance et électronique industrielle
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
STATE-OF-THE-ART TEST EQUIPMENT FOR A SMART TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION AND ENERGY RESEARCH (STEER) LABORATORY
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
<p>The requested specialized equipment will be used for the development of an exclusive research laboratory in the up-and-coming areas of transportation electrification, energy storage systems, and smart grid. The specialized apparatus will be housed in the new Smart Transportation Electrification and Energy Research (STEER) laboratory, which spans 300m2 in area. The PI, Dr. Sheldon Williamson, is confident that the RTI-funded STEER lab will put UOIT firmly on the map as one of Canada’s leading institutions to offer a comprehensive research program in transportation electrification. The new STEER lab will also benefit UOIT in terms of developing a niche research thrust in smart electric vehicle (EV) charging – plugged and wireless charging, advanced energy storage systems – batteries and ultracapacitors (UCs), and integrated smart grid energy research. In essence, the STEER lab will represent the first full-scale Canadian electric transportation testing and validation center as well as an exclusive training ground for highly qualified personnel (HQP). The requested equipment will specifically aid in setting up experimental test rigs for photovoltaic (PV) charging of EVs/microgrid setups, wireless charging using inductive power transfer (IPT), and associated power electronic converter designs. The setup will also expedite testing and validation of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery modules and high power-density UC systems, especially for electric mass transit (buses and trains) as well as smart grid peak-power shaving applications. The equipment will help train graduate students and technicians in performing realistic studies in various aspects of transportation electrification, which would otherwise have to depend solely on simulations.</p>
<p>Dr. Williamson currently supervises 7 Ph.D./6 M.A.Sc. Students, and 1 Post-doc. In May 2016, 3 more Ph.D. students will join the group. Dr. Williamson’s graduate students will use the equipment to perform integrated research on Li-ion battery management, UC power management, PV/EV/Grid charging (including vehicle-to-grid, V2G power flow), and wireless EV charging. Dr. Morsi and Dr. Sidhu currently co-supervise 2 Ph.D. Students in the areas of grid-connected EVs; they will instantly be able to experimentally verify their EV/Grid power quality/protection algorithms. Since the group’s activities are unique and shared between the researchers, the equipment will be fully utilized by the entire group as well. The requested equipment will also be used for non-proprietary testing by the STEER group industry partners: Panasonic-Canada, Oshawa PUC, Hydro-One, Toronto-Hydro, GE, Bombardier Transportation, Delta-Q, GM, and Ford.</p>
