The University of Regina (U of R) unveiled its fully operational microgrid living lab this week. The on-campus facility features real energy infrastructure and resources, a digital control center, battery storage system and renewable power sources, including solar panels.
The installation is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and one of only a handful of microgrids in Western Canada, according to a statement from the university.
The microgrid testbed will enable researchers and businesses working on renewable energy technologies to study and analyze microgrid design, implementation, cost optimization and engineering issues.
The lab will also be available to engineering consultants and energy experts looking to test microgrid projects prior to real-world installation.
“This lab gives us a controlled, flexible space to test new technologies, analyze how energy systems interact, and solve real problems related to grid design and resilience,” said Ifran Al-Anbagi, director of the Microgrid Living Lab and associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “It’s a critical platform for research, innovation, and collaboration as we work toward a cleaner energy future.”
Universities powering living microgrid labs
South of the border, several universities are working to advance microgrid technologies in similar labs.
Perhaps one of the most notable installations is at the University of St. Thomas, in Minnesota. Home to the Center for Microgrid Research, St. Thomas’ microgrid lab was established in 2014 when the School of Engineering was awarded a $1.5 million grant from utility Xcel Energy.
The University of St. Thomas recently partnered with EV charging technology firm Bright.Green to build a new microgrid facility to support next-gen distributed energy and AI-ready research.
U of R microgrid supports campus sustainability goals
The University of Regina microgrid was built with funding support from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), the Canadian government department responsible for supporting economic development in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
PrairiesCan provided $976,000 in 2022 to develop the space and infrastructure required for the microgrid.
The University is in the midst of a multi-year initiative to become a carbon-neutral campus. The lab is the first milestone in a planned campus-wide microgrid in support of that goal.
University officials believe the lab also offers a glimpse into the future of how Saskatchewan communities could be powered in the future.
“Dr. Al-Anbagi and his team’s innovative, forward-thinking research and clean-energy solutions are going to benefit the future of this province, and beyond,” says Dr. Chris Yost, vice-president (research) at the University of Regina.
