With a goal to generate a long-term smart grid research agenda relating to smart grid and renewable energy, Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) recently hosted the first workshop on Smart Grid and Renewable Energy.
“The workshop brought together leading experts from international research institutions and universities, as well as government and private sector research and development, to discuss the progress and future challenges of smart grid and renewable energies,” said CEO and dean Dr Mark H Weichold.
The participants exchanged information on medium- to long-term research and future challenges of smart grid and renewable energies. Ongoing and future research toward next generation smart grid technologies and applications, leading to research collaboration opportunities, were discussed.
It was pointed out that a smarter electric grid is necessary for maintaining rapid economic development, improved social lifestyle and a greener living environment.
The workshop generated awareness in industries, engineers and researchers about advanced smart grid technologies and their benefits; renewable energy resources and their integration with the smart grid and information and communications technologies and their adoption in the smart grid.
The event was also co-organised by Qatar University, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) and supported through sponsorship from Qatar Petrochemical Co.
Dr Mladen Kezunovic, director, Smart Grid Centre Extension in Qatar and professor of electrical engineering at TAMUQ, observed that the workshop positions Qatar as the one of the centres of excellence in research, education and deployment of the future smart grid solutions for the benefits of the citizens of Qatar and the world.
The programme also featured a poster session, which included a competition of separate tracks for students and researchers, with first-place winners from each track receiving QR5,000 and with second-place winners from each track receiving QR3,000. Students and researchers presented the outcomes of their research and impact on advancing the industry in Qatar.
Dr Rashid Alammari, dean of College of Engineering at Qatar University, said the workshop set the tone of collaboration among academic institutions, research institutes and industry. “The workshop is expected to generate research on smart grid and renewable energy, which is in alignment with Qatar national research strategy.”
Dr Haitham Abu-Rub, chair of electrical and computer engineering programme at TAMUQ, senior research scientist at QEERI and managing director of the Smart Grid Centre-Extension in Qatar, said electric energy is key to every economy and for societal
prosperity across the globe.
“The smart grid effort aims to transform this critical infrastructure into the 21st century using computer-based remote control and automation. The smart grid has been called “electricity with a brain,” the “energy Internet” and the “Electronet.”
“Basically, the smart grid integrates electricity and information and communication infrastructures to produce electricity more efficiently and reliably, as well as cleanly and safely for the
environment,” he added.
Dr Weichold addressing the workshop.
