Global consulting and IT services provider Mahindra Satyam announced the development of Ontario's first Smart Grid Research and Innovation Center (RIC) on the University of Waterloo Campus in Ontario, Canada.
The University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, is one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities. The Center development is part of an ongoing strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mahindra Satyam and the University of Waterloo. The objective of the RIC will be to develop a curriculum and related training programs at the University for highly qualified professionals in the smart grid sector, validate and test innovative products and technologies before large scale implementation and provide facilities to University faculty and industry leaders for collaborative work in the sector.
Mahindra’s statement revealed that the new RIC is aimed at offering students, teachers and IT professionals the tools to foster and evaluate innovative developments of next generation smart grid technology.
"We are eager to work with the University of Waterloo as it takes a leadership role in the academic and technology communities by investing in smart grid initiatives and technologies," Arvind Malhotra, senior vice president at Mahindra Satyam said in a press release.
"The Center will showcase the benefits of the ongoing smart grid technological revolution and will allow students, faculty and industry professionals to conduct cutting edge research with real world implications," Malhotra added.
Mahindra Satyam has been delivering comprehensive services for the RIC by collaborating internally with the Mahindra Group: Bridge Strategy Group for Advisory and Strategy Consulting, Tech Mahindra for Communication and Security services, Mahindra Reva for EV technologies and Mahindra Solar for Renewable Energy technologies. The company recently announced the completion of its Smart Grid Customer Demonstration Center (CDC) in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India in June 2011. Also, through its sister company, Tech Mahindra, the company established the Innovation Center for Mobility Solutions in Toronto, Ontario in June 2011.
Developed with the University of Waterloo's Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), the new RIC is believed to draw upon the collective expertise of University faculty members from areas including mathematics, chemistry, mechanical, computer, electrical and systems engineering.
Mahindra Satyam believes that its institutional expertise in smart grid data analytics, renewable systems integration, electric vehicles and integration with the distribution grid and micro-grids for rural and remote applications, will help to safely and responsibly develop innovative solutions for the Canadian and global community.
Mahindra Satyam is part of the $12.5 billion Mahindra Group, a global federation of companies and one of the top 10 business houses based in India.
Meenakshi Shankar is a TMCnet contributor. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
