Ontario Tech University's Dr. Hossam Gaber talks about smart electricity grids at Indonesia conference

Ontario Tech University Professor Dr. Hossam Gaber led a panel of international experts invited to share their latest research findings at a December electric grid planning conference in Indonesia. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) conference in Jakarta examined the future expansion of nuclear energy and its integration with renewable energy sources as well as with oil and natural gas sources.

Dr. Gaber, who is cross-appointed to the Ontario Tech University faculties of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; and Engineering and Applied Science, presented new ideas on the implementation of smart energy grids and micro-energy grids, which integrate natural gas and thermal energy into existing electricity grids.

“We are basing our smart grid modelling and simulations on how to best take advantage of energy conservation strategies,” said Dr. Gaber. “The challenge is to support the pockets of rising energy demand around the world, and the growth of related infrastructures like water and transportation.”

Dr. Gaber’s invitation to the IAEA conference was sponsored by PLN, a government-owned power corporation in Indonesia. In addition to integrating multiple energy sources into electricity grids, representatives from nuclear agencies from the United Kingdom, the United States and across Asia also discussed current views on nuclear safety.