International collaboration on urban energy solutions
Ryerson's Centre for Urban Energy conducts workshop in India
Ryerson's Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) undertook one of its first urban energy projects in Chennai, India, thanks in part to a grant it received from International Science and Technology Partnerships (ISTP) Canada, the national organization responsible for promoting international, collaborative research and technology-based partnerships.
Bringing together Canadian and Indian academia and industry leaders, CUE organized a two-day workshop in early January on the sustainability of urban electric systems. Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science (FEAS) Dean Mohamed Lachemi and CUE Academic Director Bala Venkatesh were joined by a number of their colleagues from Ryerson's Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Departments. Hosted at Chennai's Anna University, the workshop's industry partners included Hydro One and Schneider Electric, as well as participants from the University of Western Ontario, UOIT, Indian electricity boards and representatives from the hydro and automotive industries.
Discussions focused on the integration of charging stations for electric cars with large-scale, urban rooftop solar farms, and how collaborative R&D projects can address current issues. Other anticipated workshop outcomes include identification of cross-border market opportunities.
In addition to ISTP Canada's contribution, the workshop was made possible through support from the FEAS Dean's Office and Ryerson International, on behalf of the vice-president, research and innovation.
Dean Lachemi also visited with senior administrators from Anna University and IIT-Madras to discuss additional areas of potential research collaboration identified by Provost and Vice President Academic Alan Shepard during his November 2010 India mission. Both visits build on existing research collaboration between Ryerson faculty and their Indian counterparts, supported by seed grants secured under the Ryerson International Initiatives Fund.