Evolution of Power systems as Smarter Grids: Role of Control and Automation

Prof. Om Parkash Malik

Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary, Canada

Title: Evolution of Power systems as Smarter Grids: Role of Control and Automation

Abstract:

The role of electricity as all pervasive in the world today has been accomplished by continued developments in power systems over the past 138 years. Although power systems engineers have always kept pace by embracing new enabling technologies as they developed, recently there has been a trend to classify the new developments under the umbrella of ‘smart grid’. Smart grid embraces the entire power system and is another step in the continuing effort to make the grid smarter. A brief introduction of the past and present status of the power systems is given. Integration of advanced communications, information and other enabling technologies, and advanced control is the way forward in the evolution of future power systems into smarter grids.

Short Biography:

Prof. Malik graduated from Delhi, India in 1952. After working for 9 years in electric utilities, he returned to academia and obtained his Master’s degree from Roorkee University, India, in 1962, Ph.D. degree from London University, and the DIC from Imperial College, London, in 1965.

Prof. Malik has done pioneering work over the past 50 years in the development of digital controllers for application in electric power systems. His research group was the first to propose and investigate digital/adaptive controllers for on-line real time applications to improve the operation of electric power generators. In addition, he has done extensive work in the area of power systems protection, particularly digital and artificial intelligence based protection techniques.

Prof. Malik has performed extensive service over the years for various technical societies, such as IEEE, CEA, APPEGA, IEE, IFAC, COPIMERA, etc. He has received many honours, medals, and awards. Om Malik is a Fellow of the EIC, a Fellow of the IEE, and a Life Fellow of the IEEE.

Prof. Malik received the McNaughton Medal at the CCECE in Toronto, ON, in May 2001 for “Outstanding contributions in research and development of digital and adaptive controllers for power systems and to engineering education”.