With support from the Province of Ontario, Ryerson University's Centre for Urban Energy will build a smart grid laboratory, which will serve as a hub for researchers and will provide a collaborative facility for testing and demonstrating smart grid ideas and products for Ontario institutions.
"Not only will the lab play an important role in creating future smart grid technologies, it will also give our students wonderful experiential learning opportunities that will educate the next generation of engineers," said Sheldon Levy, Ryerson University president.
Supported by investments such as Ontario's 4.7 million smart meters, the province explains the smart grid connects the electricity system with new technologies and sources of information with the aim of increasing operating efficiencies and enhancing grid security. Smart grid technologies will also provide consumers with conservation tools that will allow for more efficient electricity use and help them manage costs, adds the government.
Ontario is now accepting project applications for the next round of the Smart Grid Fund program, seeking projects to support the development of its "modern, intelligent" electricity system (download the PDF below). The fund supports Ontario-based projects that test, develop and bring to market the next-generation of smart grid solutions. This round of funding will support advanced energy technology projects, such as energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) integration.
