Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, announced that it is partnering with Ryerson University in Toronto to create a state-of-the-art smart grid laboratory. Located within the university’s Centre for Urban Energy (CUE), the Schneider Electric Smart Grid Laboratory will be the first smart grid laboratory in Canada on a university campus and will be a collaborative facility for research, development and testing of smart grid algorithms, products and systems for Ontario institutions.

“As we move towards a new era of intelligent energy management, it is increasingly important to continue learning about the ways smart grids are able to transform energy use,” said Daniel Péloquin, president, Canada, Schneider Electric. “Ryerson University is a Canadian leader in education and innovation and we are excited to work with them in this area.”

Announced during the Smart Grid Canada Conference, taking place in Toronto September 23-25, highlights of the Schneider Electric Smart Grid Laboratory include:

•    Scheduled to open in July 2014, the Schneider Electric Smart Grid Laboratory will offer students hands-on experience, facilitating the training of highly qualified personnel with a specialization in smart grid technology.
•    The Schneider Electric Smart Grid Lab will be a platform for research and pilot testing, enabling researchers to evaluate new designs and mitigating the risks of new projects by helping ensure standards compliance prior to full completion and implementation.
•    Schneider Electric’s contribution to Ryerson University includes a global substation and feeder automation portfolio, real-time software suite for global grid management and custom switchboard and metering products.
•    The Centre for Urban Energy at Ryerson University is a collaborative research centre set up by Ryerson University and founding sponsors Hydro One, Ontario Power Authority and Toronto Hydro. The vision of the CUE is to be a world class research and innovation centre dedicated to solving urban energy challenges. The Schneider Electric Smart Grid Laboratory is an essential part of this vision, and will help the CUE to provide future energy solutions.

“Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Energy is committed to solving urban energy challenges,” said Dr. Sri Krishnan, Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science at Ryerson University. “Working with Schneider Electric to develop this lab enables us to take this even further and work towards creating innovative solutions within the smart grid technology space, while also providing Ryerson students the benefit of being trained in a state-of-the-art facility.”

“Ontario is well positioned to build one of the most advanced electricity grids in the world,” said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario’s Minister of Energy. “Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Energy and the Schneider Electric Smart Grid Laboratory will offer students leading edge facilities to develop and test the smart grid
advancements that will help Ontario homes and businesses better manage their energy use.”

At the Smart Grid Canada Conference, Schneider Electric will showcase its Smart Grid Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR) Solutions at booth F-04. In addition, Schneider Electric Canada President Daniel Péloquin will deliver the conference opening remarks on Tuesday, September 24 and a keynote presentation titled “Megatrends and the Smart Grid: Impacting the grid and changing the landscape of major cities worldwide" at 2:15 pm ET the same day. Schneider Electric’s Director of Smart Grid IT Solutions for North America, Rick Joyce, will also present “The Smart Utility: Market Drivers and Market Case Implementations” the morning of September 24th.

Schneider Electric is the Premiere Sponsor of the Smart Grid Canada Conference.

Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com/ca