Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

The NSERC Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Power Systems Simulation will harness the combinedcapabilities of the University of Manitoba's strong Electrical Power Engineering Group and six prominentindustrial partners in the power engineering field. These partners include Manitoba Hydro, a major utility withclose to 100% renewable energy generation; the Manitoba HVDC Research Centre, a major developer of powersystem simulation software; RTDS Technologies, a major manufacturer of real-time simulators for the powerindustry; and three Canadian Consulting Firms with strong expertise in Power System Modelling, namely,Teshmont Consultants, TransGrid Solutions and Electranix Corporation.The IRC, located at the University of Manitoba, will conduct research into improving the tools for modellinglarge power networks. It will develop new fast and accurate simulation platforms using the latest computingdevices such as Graphical Processing Units and Field Programmable gate arrays. The ability to conductultra-fast simulations will allow for simulation based optimal designs of power equipment, and also permitstatistical methods to be used to assess the stability and supply quality of power networks incorporatingrenewal energy sources which are erratic in nature. The platforms will also permit modeling ofcontinental-scale power systems and thus enable investigations into improving the security of power supplyusing energy transfers across wide geographical areas using high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmissionsystem overlays. The research will help the Canadian Power Systems Simulator Industry, which is already aworld leader to retain its competitive edge, and also yield more efficient energy transport solutions for theutility industry.Over the next 5 years, the IRC program will graduate over 25 skilled graduate students and post-doctoralfellows, thus making a significant contribution to the pool of highly qualified personnel in an area of vitalimportance to Canada.