News Article
Siemens Canada to invest in smart grid research
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 CAD into academic research projects in the province of New Brunswick over the next five years in the form of funds, in-kind contributions such as software and equipment, as well as sponsorship's and human resources. The agreement on these first two projects with the University of New Brunswick is an early milestone in Siemens' fulfillment of this commitment.
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 (DR) 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.
The investment strengthens Siemens commitment to New Brunswick and to continuously expanding its presence in the province. In 2012 the company responded to NB Power's call for a partner to help develop its vision for a comprehensive smart grid program for the province. As part of the multi-year agreement signed between Siemens and NB Power, in 2013, Siemens established a Smart Grid Centre of Competence and application centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
