Siemens Canada to invest in smart grid research projects with University of New Brunswick

Siemens Canada and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) have agreed on the scope of two research projects looking at smart grid technology that could begin as early as spring 2014. Siemens has committed to investing up to $2.5 million into academic research projects in the proivince over the next five years in the form of funds, in-kind contributions such as software and equipment, as well as sponsorships and human resources.

Siemens and UNB are currently assembling project teams for these first two projects and are developing proposals for funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). The projects, both to be led by the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering under Professor Liuchen Chang, will focus on two elements of smart grid technology and implementation – residential demand response and load shifting.

Demand response programs aim to decrease electricity consumption or shift it from on-peak to off-peak periods depending on consumers’ preferences and lifestyles. Load shifting is a strategy that attempts to “shift” demand for electricity so that less power is used during expensive peak times.

“Siemens is excited to partner with a respected institution like the University of New Brunswick. We believe that educational investments and resulting research activities will further the creation of a skilled workforce capable of developing global smart grid solutions, and that this in turn will bring significant benefits to the energy and related economic sectors of New Brunswick,” said Robert Hardt, president and CEO, Siemens Canada.

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