Grant: Alliance Grants

The proposed NSERC-Alliance grant on Optimization for the Future Energy Systems will carry out a research program on the design of algorithms and the application of state-of-the-art mathematical optimization techniques to improve the overall performance of the power grid in the presence of distributed energy resources. A particular focus will be given to problems arising from the needs of TransÉnergie, the division of HQ that operates the transmission system. The research program is based on the needs expressed by the partners and on the roles that recent developments in mathematical optimization can play in ad-dressing those needs. The general objective seeks to develop new optimization algorithms and tools using alternatives related to the transmission network in order to optimize the energy systems of the future.Thanks to its vast hydroelectric network, HQ ensures the production of 98% of the province's electricity. The company faces many optimization problems, some of which cannot be addressed by existing operations research algorithms and methodologies. The main objective of this project is to pursue the development of algorithmic approaches targeting certain specificities identified in industrial optimization problems. These algorithmic approaches will be developed by 8 PhD, 4 Master and 16 undergraduate students, co-supervised by four professors, 8 IREQ scientists, PDF and a research associate from Polytechnique Montréal. In the past, these professors have demonstrated their ability to train several graduate students and have published extensively in top journals in operations research, IEEExplore and engineering. The students involved in this project will participate in all stages: the definition and the appropriation of the problem during exchanges with the industry, the development of new algorithmic techniques, the analysis of convergence of the envisaged methodology, the establishment of a test bench related to the industrial problem for digital tests, exchanges with industrial partners for the transfer of knowledge, and finally, the writing of articles for distribution to the scientific community.