The projects, which will be led by the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will focus on the development of residential demand response and load shifting programs.
Siemens is committing to invest up to CAD2.5m ($2.4m) into academic research projects in the province of New Brunswick over the next five years. The investment will come in the form of funds, in-kind contributions, including software and equipment, and sponsorships and human resources.
Siemens president & CEO Robert Hardt said that the company is excited to partner with a respected institution like the University of New Brunswick.
"We believe that educational investments and resulting research activities will further the creation of a skilled workforce capable of developing global smart grid solutions, and that this in turn will bring significant benefits to the energy and related economic sectors of New Brunswick," Hardt added.
University of New Brunswick vice president research David Burns said, "We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate in the research and development of smart grid solutions that will benefit New Brunswick and beyond."
The goal of demand response programs is to decrease electricity consumption or shift it from on-peak to off-peak periods depending on consumers’ preferences and lifestyles.
The load shifting is a strategy that attempts to shift demand for electricity so that less power is used during expensive peak times.
The research projects will start as early as spring 2014.
