On Wednesday, September 18, Climate Positive Energy was pleased to welcome Toronto Hydro Chief Engineering Officer Elias Lyberogiannis accompanied by a delegate of Toronto Hydro senior staff members, for a special update on the CPE-led Grid Modernization Centre project.
CPE Executive Director Shatha Qaqish-Clavering provided exclusive insights on the proposed Grid Modernization Centre project, which was recently awarded $10M in federal funding to support a secure, resilient, and sustainable grid system. The group engaged in important discussions emphasizing the need for the Canadian energy sector to move towards a more decarbonized, decentralized, and digitalized power system, supporting the needs of utility providers, electricity regulators, municipalities, and small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Centre will serve as a convener of key stakeholders in the electricity sector in Ontario to test cutting edge technologies before deployment into the grid. In addition to technical testing, the Centre is well positioned to provide regulatory recommendations and creative financing models. Through working with various partners, the Centre will leverage expertise and position Ontario in the forefront of energy transition meeting its increasing electricity demand while reducing carbon emissions associated with electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
CPE also invited Toronto Hydro into the Centre for Applied Power Electronics (CAPE) at the University of Toronto for a behind-the-scenes look into the equipment and controls that support electric power system applications, including research and development associated with the grid integration of renewable resources like solar and wind. CPE Member Ali Hooshyar, Associate Professor at The Edward S. Rogers Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Academic Lead of the Grid Modernization Centre, provided first-hand insights into how the systems at CAPE are able to address the energy management of grid-level batteries for transmission and distribution systems, such as fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers, as well as power management during usage peaks.
The group also received an update on Canada’s largest urban geoexchange facility, located beneath Front Campus. Part of the Landmark Project, the geoexchange system is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 metric tons annually. Ron Saporta, Chief Operating Officer of Property Services & Sustainability at U of T, was joined by Scott Hendershot, Senior Manager at U of T’s Sustainability Office, to showcase the facility and workings of the system. The facility, designed to help heat and cool St. George Campus, is a critical part of the plan to decarbonize university operations. The facility will also serve as an important teaching site for U of T students who are dedicating their careers to advancing a more sustainable future.
At the end of the tour, the group was invited to preview Jule’s Level 3+ DC fast-charging stations, powered by batteries, located in the new Landmark Garage parking facility underneath King’s College Circle. The fast-charging stations offer drivers the ability to charge their EVs in under 30 minutes while minimizing the strain on the electrical grid. The chargers are now ready for public use, and will also serve as a living lab to test future thermal innovations jointly developed by U of T Engineering researchers and Jule.
Toronto Hydro expressed their continued support and excitement towards CPE’s Grid Modernization Centre project, which has already engaged 50 different partners from the energy eco-system, including federal agencies, industry and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), utilities, regulators, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and industry associations. The Centre will work with these stakeholders to help grow their technologies and accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions.
CPE extends its gratitude to Toronto Hydro and the U of T experts for their enthusiasm, support, and insights during this important visit.
If you’re an industry member interested in learning more about U of T’s Grid Modernization Centre project, contact info@cpe.utoronto.ca.