Waterloo, ON, Canada – A University of Waterloo research project looking to expand the concept of a “smart grid” beyond electricity is getting a boost from Union Gas through a $10,000grant that is part of the company’s year-long Centennial celebration.
The research project, led by the University’s Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), focuses on the idea of using advanced information technology to create a fully integrated “smart energy network”, one that includes natural gas, renewables and, in the future, would be able to incorporate new fuels such as hydrogen.
The project is building on work already underway in Ontario to develop a smart grid for the province’s electricity system, using digital two-way communication to allow utilities to respond instantly to changes in demand and automatically fix power outages, as well as giving consumers more control over how and when they use power. The award is one of ten $10,000 signature grants being awarded by Union Gas across Ontario as the company marks its 100th anniversary.
“At Union Gas, we are committed to being strong stewards of our environment,” said Union Gas president Julie Dill. “That’s why we are proud to support this leading-edge research, which will further the discussion we are having as an energy sector about the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s entire energy system. We all have a part to play in building a stronger system that is mindful of the environment at the same time.”
“In the electricity sector, the smart grid has emerged as one way to address consumption trends, climate change, global energy security challenges, and economic growth,” said Jatin Nathwani, executive director of WISE. “This grant will help WISE apply core smart grid concepts to the entire energy system to help make it more integrated and responsive.”
Rizal
on March 31st, 2012 at 11:12 pmGreen technology tends to save more money in the long run, ditepse being more expensive to begin with for example, motion-sensing light fixtures that only turn on when someone walks into a room are more expensive than regular lights, but after a few years the reduced power usage saves money. What examples of green energy are you looking at that are so cost-inefficient? Around here (Midwest) people have been installing windmills, which are quite green that have consistently proven profitable.