NSERC/Hydro-Québec Industrial Research Chair on the Integration of Renewable Energies and Distributed Generation into the Electric Distribution Grid

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In the electric power sector, recent years have seen an increasing deployment and integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. These are a complement and substitute for power produced by large conventional generating plants, many remote and using fossil fuels. These smaller distributed power plants can be installed closer to load centers, allowing a reduction of transmission needs and losses, improving the reliability and resilience of the electric power delivery system, and reducing its vulnerability to extreme atmospheric events. The accelerated deployment of information and communication technologies in all areas of industry and society has in turn led to a number of smart grid initiatives. Distributed energy resources, which include generation and storage, can be embedded in distribution grids or included in geographically delimited smaller grids or microgrids. These entities manage their own generation and loads. They are either grid connected and interact with distribution grids, or can be operated in islanded mode, when required, as for remote communities. The research program proposes microgrid energy management systems and controllers to provide ancillary services to the grid. It develops strategies for active control and protection of distributed energy resources, using advances in intelligent control, sensing, information and communication technologies. It proposes power electronic control devices to improve the quality of the electricity supply provided by distributed generation and controllers for demand side management and storage systems. The research will help Canadian utilities exploit the benefits of the integration of distributed energy resources into their electric grids and deploy microgrids and interactive distribution systems. Engineers will be trained in new techniques of electricity generation and load management, including smart grid technologies. The research program will strengthen research collaborations between the utilities and industry, and the university and foster innovation in the electric power grids, a critical infrastructure.