This project aims to build strong collaborations with Indigenous communities across Manitoba to monitor large mammals using camera traps. The goals of this study are to facilitate Indigenous co-management of wildlife with the provincial government in Manitoba and to inform management of declining species, especially moose, with regards to the factors which are driving decreasing population sizes and distributions.

Increasing demand for more reliable electric power requires advanced monitoring systems that prevent equipment failure and outages. The existing technologies used for monitoring the voltage and the electric field in the vicinity of the high voltage devices are bulky and expensive. On the other hand, maintenance of the monitoring devices requires specific safety precautions. In this research project, a small and inexpensive electric/magnetic field sensor is proposed. They are passive and require no source of power.

The electric power industry is undergoing considerable changes with respect to structure, operation, regulation and modernization. One of the significant changes is the increased utilization of distribured energy sources (DES) such as wind and solar and other immerging technologies particularly in electric distribution systems. It is envisioned that DES will bcome the main source of energy in the industry in the future due to the environmental friendliness, improving capabilities and lowering cost of these resources.

The problem considered in this work is how to produce highly accurate and consistent land-use/land-cover (LULC) maps significantly faster than current semi?automated methods for use by Manitoba Hydro. The goal is to improve the ability to produce maps quickly and efficiently as priority needs arise. This project will use an approach for automated LULC mapping from satellite images using deep learning methods pioneered by the applicants. By classifying each pixel in a satellite image into LULC categories using neural networks, rapid and accurate LULC maps can be successfully produced.

Revegetation of northern Manitoba ecosystems, disturbed by hydroelectric development, is critical to meet the ecological and cultural needs of the First Nation communities located in these areas. To establish a viable self-sustaining ecosystem, it is important to understand the challenges associated with reclamation in these disturbed areas. The main goal of our proposed research is to develop revegetation strategies using native plant species (selected in consultation with the indigenous communities) and addition of organic matter/ fertilizer following soil decompaction.

Throughout much of North America moose populations are in decline and Manitoba is no exception. This project will determine what factors promoting occupancy and abundance at local and regional scales in Manitoba; and subsequently identify the most efficient way to monitor moose populations in relation to local and regional factors, such as hydroelectric power transmission right-of-ways.

Conventional power systems are based upon ac voltages and currents. Connecting these systems is a simple matter and is done using transformers. Modern power systems wherein renewable energy sources are increasingly deployed often include dc voltages and currents. Connecting these systems is more challenging as conventional transformers will not be applicable. The proposed research is aimed at investigating and evaluating options for linking and interconnecting dc power systems. Power electronics is the enabling technology for achieving dc system interconnections.

Bulk storage of energy is a relatively new concept in many power systems. Among various energy storage media, batteries have shown great promise as a suitable option for use in power systems. Integrating a battery energy storage system in a power grid is not a trivial task and requires extensive studies to ensure that the system is able to respond satisfactorily to its surrounding’s variable conditions and deliver what is expected of it.

The research project aims to develop new computer models for accurate representation of battery energy storage systems that are used in modern power systems. In particular state-of-the-art modular multi-level converters with integrated dc-dc converters will be considered. The models to be developed will provide high levels of accuracy and feature low computational intensity so that study of battery systems that are integrated into the grid using advanced converter systems becomes feasible on present-day computing systems.

Battery energy storage systems are used in electric utilities for a variety of applications including back up power for critical equipment. Manitoba Hydro is evaluating two battery chemistries for use in its substations, namely Li-ion and sodium-nickel chemistries. Along with assessment of technical merits of each battery type to determine which chemistry best suits the intended application, Manitoba Hydro needs to develop schemes for maintenance and condition monitoring of these new batteries so that it can maximize their lifespan when in service and prevent any unforeseen outage.