PEO York Chapter Presents “Electricity Planning in Transition”

January 25, 2017
531 Atkinson Ave., Thornhill, Ontario

Ongoing developments in the electric power system, from generation to delivery to utilization, are creating roots that are deep and far reaching. Groundbreaking technologies and tools are frequently emerging in the market, providing enhanced flexibility and efficiency as well as creating new business areas. Traditional methods are being challenged, leading to uncertainty as well as opportunity. Consumers are no longer just recipients of services. Rather they are prosumers and active market/grid participants who are even offering solutions to utility problems. Planning for electricity —the most versatile fuel in the world— in isolation of other forms of energy, is no longer acceptable.

Drawing on his research findings, Bob Singh, IESO Distinguished Research Fellow at the Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) at Ryerson University, will focus on key considerations in electricity planning required to create a more efficient and sustainable future.

Birendra (Bob) N. Singh, P.Eng. has over 35 years of diversified experience in the electric utility industry in Canada. His areas of expertise include electrical transmission and distribution planning, design and operation; new technologies, renewables, energy storage; as well as related policies and strategies.

Since joining the CUE in late 2014, Singh’s focus has been on the integration of urban and energy planning with an emphasis on sustainability and resilience. He has also contributed to the development of the Schneider Electric (SE) Smart Grid Laboratory at CUE and continues to provide input into current R&D areas as they relate to electrical energy and systems.

Singh worked in various positions at Hydro One (from 2000 to 2014): manager research, development & demonstration (RD&D), manager asset management & technology development, manager generation connections T&D, manager load connections & distribution development, and manager distribution development. Under these positions, he led departments that undertook activities covering areas such as new technology applications, long-term/short-term planning, regional supply planning, and connecting load/generation to electrical transmission and distribution systems. Under Mr. Singh’s direction, thousands of MWs of renewable and non-renewable generators were assessed (close to 500 studies) and many of which were later connected to Ontario’s electrical grid.

Prior to joining Hydro One, he worked at Toronto Hydro as manager engineering services (from 1998 to 2000) responsible for providing engineering services to the asset management groups of the organization, and at former North York Hydro as standards engineer / manager standards (from 1990 to 2000) with the accountability for electrical distribution equipment and design standards as well as new technology assessments. Mr. Singh also spent 10 years at Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro where he worked in transmission system planning and protection & control areas.

Mr. Singh is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), Electric Power Research Institute’s Energy Storage Integration Council (ESIC), and Standard Council of Canada’s Mirror Committee of IEC Systems Committee IEC/SyC for “Smart Energy”.

The 1.5 hour presentation starts at 7:30PM and refreshments will be available.