September 15, 2016 – The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Siemens Canada have entered into another long-term relationship with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this summer. The agreement focuses on research and commercialization opportunities on smart grid cybersecurity and microgrids, identifying and pursuing application of new technologies in these growing markets.

Per the MOU, Siemens and BCIT’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) SMART group will enable knowledge-sharing and training to address gaps in Canada’s critical public utilities infrastructure.

“With energy being one of the world’s most challenging problems, Siemens and BCIT have been collaborating and leading innovation in this field for many years,” said BCIT president Kathy Kinloch. “Our partnership has been very productive and with the signing of this MOU, I am excited to continue working together to develop the effective operation and security for microgrids through solution based research.”

BCIT and Siemens have an existing and long-standing relationship as partners in previous smart grid projects including BCIT’s Smart Grid Laboratory Project, as well as the BCIT Energy OASIS Microgrid Project – the first campus-wide microgrid project in Canada. (See our story on the “gas station of the future” in Burnaby’s OASIS.)

“Our energy systems are becoming increasingly complex with rapidly changing technology—the challenges and opportunities presented by smart grids, distributed energy resources and solutions such as microgrids underline the importance of the focus topics being pursued under this MOU,” stated Faisal Kazi, senior vice-president, Energy Management for Siemens Canada.

The MOU signing took place as part of a best-practice sharing session and campus tour attended by BCIT and Siemens executives and stakeholders earlier in July 2016.

Photos courtesy BCIT.

Kathy Kinloch, president of BCIT (left) and Faisal Kazi, senior vice-president with Siemens Canada, Energy Management.