Power Simulator (SimP): experimentation and standardization infrastructure for smart grid technologies

Lead Proponent:   Hydro-Québec Research Institute (IREQ)
Location:  Varennes, QC
EIP Contribution: $ 949,000
Project Total: $ 2.1 M
Strategic Area:  Renewable Energy, Smart Grids, and Storage

Project Objectives:

The objective of this project is to design, develop and put into service a new generation of “Power Hardware in the Loop” test and experimentation capability. This will allow development, testing and in-situ validation of experimental and commercial power system control, storage and smart grid products and equipment that will be part of future community micro-grids.

Expected Results:

Having this new infrastructure will encourage and facilitate the rapid and wide scale adoption of new renewable energy by assuring from the conception and design phase of green technologies that their integration will not adversely impact stability and reliability of the grid, even with increasing renewable energy resources as part of the generation mix. It will provide researchers the ability to complete rigorous system tests in simulation and also complete compelling demonstrations required to establish confidence in new technologies and provide necessary data to advance new standards.

The cutting-edge research infrastructure would be open and available to all players in the Canadian green-energy industry, including academic and industry interests.

Project Partners:

OPAL-RT Technologies Inc.