JULY 29, 2024 • By Sayyeda Masood
On Friday, July 26, Climate Positive Energy (CPE) — an Institutional Strategic Initiative at the University of Toronto — welcomed the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Member of Parliament for York Centre, to U of T for a $5-million announcement on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in support of the CPE-led Grid Modernization Centre.
The announcement was part of a $10-million Government of Canada investment that includes $5 million in support from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), shared by Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth. This investment supports the establishment of the CPE-led Grid Modernization Centre.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), demand for electricity could double in the next 30 years. However, the current grid is facing a number of challenges, including the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, extreme weather events and concerns around the grid’s capacity, reliability and security.
The Grid Modernization Centre responds to these concerns and Ontario’s need for a secure, resilient and sustainable grid that supports the integration of green technologies and renewable energy solutions .
Minister Saks highlighted the importance of the new Centre in supporting a more sustainable future.
“As we work towards a greener and more prosperous future, the Grid Modernization Centre will play a crucial role in accelerating the commercialization of innovative solutions in this field. By supporting advancements in clean energy technologies, we are not only protecting our environment but also positioning Canada at the forefront of the clean energy revolution,” she said.
Founded by CPE to help the Canadian energy sector move toward a more decarbonized, decentralized and digitalized power system, the Grid Modernization Centre is the first of its kind in Canada.
The Centre will serve as a hub that provides utility providers, electricity regulators, municipalities, and small- and medium-sized enterprises with the state-of-the-art equipment and expertise needed to test, develop and commercialize a range of green technologies (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations, battery energy storage systems and renewable energy sources) before they are integrated with the grid.
The Grid Modernization Centre will also provide training opportunities for students and thought leadership on policy, regulatory and climate financing models.
Professor Christopher Yip, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, added, “Our energy transition is arguably the single most important shift facing companies and communities today.
“U of T has responded to this challenge by developing the Grid Modernization Centre. Today’s investment is key in supporting the Centre and propelling us towards a reliable, resilient and sustainable electricity grid that will power a clean energy future for generations.”
“Given our reliance on energy distribution, the Grid Modernization Centre is a crucial step towards securing a safe and successful society,” said Professor Deepa Kundur, Chair of The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE).
“At ECE, we actively contribute to the technological landscape by addressing challenges in vehicle electrification, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This new centre represents U of T’s proactive response to society’s energy needs, and I’m thrilled about its potential impact.”
Preceding the announcement, Minister Saks and Parliamentary Secretary Dabrusin enjoyed a tour of the Centre for Applied Power Electronics led by Professor Ali Hooshyar (ECE), who holds the Canada Research Chair in Electrical Systems.
This facility houses U of T’s current lab-scale, real-time simulator. In comparison to CAPE, the simulator that will be housed at the new Grid Modernization Centre will provide predictions for larger power systems, have the capability to hook-up external physical assets and equipment for testing and have the capabilities needed to study grid cybersecurity.
Professor Leah E. Cowen, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, thanked the Government of Canada for helping make this new Centre possible.
“On behalf of the University of Toronto, we thank FedDev Ontario and Natural Resources Canada for their $10-million investment in the Grid Modernization Centre,” she said.
“By convening stakeholders across the electricity ecosystem, Climate Positive Energy and their partners will help ensure the electrical grid remains safe and reliable, while supporting the development of clean technologies and jobs.”
Story from U of T Engineering News, with files from Matthew Tierney
