As part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan, Ontario Power Generation seeks to increase the supply of renewable energy, including wind, solar, and biomass. It is estimated that 7.6-9.5 million metric tons of unused wood is available to produce bioenergy in Ontario, above that which is currently harvested for wood products. Yet, the exact magnitude […]

It is vital to reduce today’s consumption of fossil fuels by using renewable energies like wind energy, solar or photovoltaic. However, majority of renewable energies are intermittent and not in phase with human electricity consumption cycle. It is therefore essential to develop energy storage systems to capture renewable energies when they are available and distribute […]

MURBs are responsible for approximately 20% of residential energy consumption and are as energy intensive as single family homes (on a kWh/m2 floor area basis). The energy performance of MURBs, combined with an overall aging of the stock, is beginning to result in more effort on the part of industry and government to develop measures […]

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 […]

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 […]

Current methods for concentrating (removing water from) food and drinks for their transportation and/or storage rely on thermal or ultraviolet processing that is ultimately detrimental to the food product. This research proposes a novel method to remove the water that is based on forward osmosis, which solely depends on the ability of the draw solution […]

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 […]

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 […]

To reduce their carbon footprint, FortisBC Energy Inc. is investigating the possibility of injecting hydrogen into their natural gas distribution network. Prior to adopting this change, a comprehensive feasibility assessment and development of tools to support the hydrogen injection is required. This includes investigating the effects of hydrogen on existing gas distribution infrastructure, end-user appliances […]

Research and development efforts in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies are required to continue for, improving their performance, establishing techniques for accurately predicting their output and reliably integrating them with other conventional generating sources. The objective of this project is to model a hybrid power system for buildings, which is technically feasible and […]

In hydropower plants like any other plants, part failures normally contribute to high maintenance and repair costs; revenue lost due to downtime and cost of replacement power; decreased operating efficiencies; and reduction of equipment service life. In working conditions, the flow of water over the part has a great effect on the rate of corrosion. […]

The sharp-tailed grouse is the provincial bird of Saskatchewan and a favourite upland game-bird for hunters. Sharp-tailed grouse are considered an indicator of grassland ecosystem health, and there is growing concern that populations are declining in Saskatchewan and elsewhere. Habitat loss, as a result of conversion of grassland habitat for agriculture and energy production, appears […]