Investment Announced For Emera & Nb Power Research Centre For Smart Grid Technologies
January 27th, 2017
FREDERICTON – This morning, University of New Brunswick (UNB) president and vice-chancellor Eddy Campbell announced a $6.2 million investment by Emera Inc. to establish the Emera & NB Power Research Centre for Smart Grid Technologies.
The investment will go towards an Emera Chair in Smart Grid Technologies at UNB and direct funding for smart grid research. The centre is meant to facilitate industry partnerships and innovative applied research and advance the province’s economic growth plan.
“Today’s announcement is yet another way that our university propels economic progress in New Brunswick,” Campbell said. “Smart grid enables power utilities to distribute clean and green renewable energy with higher and higher reliability. It gives consumers greater control over their power bills. It even allows for the ability of people, small players to generate electricity and feed it into the grid for others to consume.”
“Emera is making a contribution that will enable us to take our smart grid research to the next level, from great to exceptional, I believe.”
The centre researchers will be led by dean of the faculty of engineering Chris Diduch and professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering Liuchen Chang.
“Ultimately, it’s going to take a lot of partnership for this actually to come together and to work very well,” Emera president and CEO Chris Huskilson said. “We’re thrilled to be part of the new Emera & NB Power Research Centre for Smart Grid Technologies. We’re very pleased to make the commitment.”
“We think this is a part of the future of the region and it’s also a part of the future our customers are looking for … I know very well that the engineering school here at UNB is going to be able to create a great innovative centre.”