Federal Funding Powers U of R Clean Energy Research
The Microgrid Living Laboratory at the University of Regina is funded by Prairies Economic Development, Canada (PrairiesCan). The lead researcher is Irfan Al-Anbagi, associate professor in Electronic Systems Engineering, along with other Engineering team members Lisa Vindevoghel and Douglas Wagner. The microgrid is a mini-power system, where electricity generation, distribution, storage and control all occur in one location, according to Al Anbagi. This is the first research-based microgrid in the province of Saskatchewan (University Affairs).
Since August 2022, a team from the University of Regina and Siemens Canada worked on designing, developing, and testing the microgrid system. The system was successfully commissioned in December 2023. During commissioning, a dozen case studies were tested, such as asset monitoring, blackout detection, black start, automated grid modes, peak shaving, state-of-charge management, etc.
The living lab provides industrial partners with facilities to test models and advance their R&D goals as well as opportunities for students and researchers interested in smart grid and renewable energy technologies to develop testbeds, collect data, and validate theoretical and simulation models.
The living lab provides industrial partners with facilities to test models and advance their R&D goals as well as opportunities for students and researchers interested in smart grid and renewable energy technologies to develop testbeds, collect data, and validate theoretical and simulation models.
Lisa Vindevoghel, ESE Lab instructor, Photo courtesy of U of Regina Photography
Dr. Irfan Al-Anbagi, ESE Associate professor, Photo courtesy of U of Regina Photography