Siemens and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in a long-term relationship on research and commercialization opportunities in smart grid cybersecurity and microgrids, the company said July 18.

The MoU signing occurred during a best-practice sharing session and campus tour at BCIT by executives and stakeholders of both entities. Under this agreement Siemens and the BCIT’s Center for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) SMART group will enable knowledge-sharing and training to address gaps in Canada’s public utility critical infrastructure, Siemens said.

Both organizations will also focus on the new area of smart microgrids, focusing on developing technologies, components, and solutions for cost-effective and environmentally responsible electrification, Siemens said. The partnership also addresses how microgrid solutions can address energy reliability, sustainability, resiliency, or economy.

“With energy being one of the world’s most challenging problems, Siemens and BCIT have been collaborating and leading innovation in this field for many years,” BCIT President Kathy Kinloch, said in a statement.

“Our partnership has been very productive and with the signing of this MoU, I am excited to continue working together to develop the effective operation and security for microgrids through solution based research,” she added.

Faisal Kazi, senior vice president of energy management for Siemens’s Canada subsidiary, highlighted that as energy systems become increasingly complex, smart grids and microgrids offer many challenges and opportunities

“We look forward to further collaboration with BCIT, utilizing our strong relationship and combined expertise to explore opportunities towards the future of energy in Canada,” he said.

BCIT and Siemens have a preexisting relationship as partners in earlier smart grid projects like the BCIT Smart Grid Laboratory Project and the BCIT Energy OASIS Microgrid Project, Canada’s first campus-wide microgrid project.

“Globally, Siemens is at the forefront of cybersecurity and microgrid solutions with a number of impressive solutions implemented and installed around the world. The microgrid solution jointly developed by Siemens & BCIT is a strong reference solution not only for Canada but around the world,” Michael Weinhold, global chief technology officer for energy management at Siemens, said.