Research Projects

  1. NSERC Alliance - MITACS Accelerate Grant, "Novel Multifunctional Controls of Solar PV Systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems as STATCOM for Grid Support", Research grant awarded for four years to Rajiv K. Varma (PI). This grant is co-funded by Elexicon Energy Inc., Ajax, ON, 2023-2027

  2. LDC Tomorrow Fund, “Utility Demonstration of a Novel Multifunctional Control of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as STATCOM”, Research grant awarded for one year to Rajiv K. Varma (PI) and Falguni Shah (Co-PI) Elexicon Energy, Ajax, ON. This Project is also co-funded by Elexicon Energy, 2021

  3. LDC Tomorrow Fund, “Novel Night and Day Smart Inverter Control of PV Solar Farms and Energy Storage Systems for Line Loss Reduction and Conservation Voltage Reduction”, awarded to Rajiv K. Varma (PI) and F. Shah (Co-PI) Elexicon Energy, Ajax, 2019-20

  4. NSERC Discovery Grant, “New Controls of Photovoltaic Solar Farms for Transmission and Distribution Applications”, 2018-23

  5. The University of Western Ontario, “Novel Smart Inverter Controls for PV Solar Power Systems”, WSS-NSERC-Accelerator Grant, 2017

  6. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Hydro One Research Chair in Power Systems Engineering”, 2012-2015

  7. Ontario Centre of Excellence, “Smart Management and Control of Short Circuit Currents to Increase Connectivity of Renewable Resources in Transmission and Distribution Grids of Ontario,” awarded to Rajiv K. Varma (PI), MMA Salama (Co-PI) Waterloo and Bala Venkatesh (Co-PI) Ryerson. This project was co-funded by Hydro One Networks Inc, London Hydro Inc., Bluewater Power, German Solar, Kaco- New Energy, and IESO, 2013-16

  8. Ontario Centres of Excellence – Centre for Energy, “Increasing Renewable Generation Connectivity in the Transmission System of Ontario through use of Innovative DG Controls”, awarded to Rajiv Varma (PI) and MMA Salama (Co-PI); co-funded by IESO, Hydro One Networks Inc, London Hydro Inc, Bluewater Power, Canasia, Testforce equipment, 2012-2014

  9. Ontario Centres of Excellence – Centre for Energy, “Zonal Energy Management and Optimization Systems for Smart Grids Applications”, awarded to Magdy Salama (PI), Rajiv Varma (Co-PI) and two other Co-PIs from Ryerson and UOIT, 2013-2015

  10. NSERC Discovery Grant, “Novel Control of PV Solar Farm Inverter as a FACTS Device for Improving Power System Performance”, 2013-18

  11. Hydro One, “Novel Solar Farm Control as PV-STATCOM for Voltage Regulation and Voltage Balancing in Distribution Feeders”, 2011-2014

  12. UWO Applied Research and Commercialization and Federal Development Agency, "Lab Validation, Pilot Demonstration and Commercialization of a Novel Technology for Utilizing PV Solar Farms in the Night and Day as Static Compensator", 2011-12

  13. OCE Market Readiness Phase I Project, “Industry Grade Validation and Commercialization of a Novel Technology for Utilizing PV Solar Farms in the Night and Day as STATCOM”, Jan 2011 - Feb 2012

  14. MITACS, “Control of PV Solar System as STATCOM”, 2010-11

  15. OCE – Centre of Energy, “Large-Scale Photovoltaic Solar Power Integration in Transmission and Distribution Networks”, Research Grant awarded to Rajiv K. Varma (Lead Co-PI) and MMA Salama (Co-PI). This project had 10 faculty members from Western and 6 from Waterloo, 2009-2011. This project was co-funded by Ontario Power Authority (OPA), Hydro One Networks Inc, First Solar Canada, London Hydro Inc, and Bluewater Power Generation Corporation.

  16. Canada Foundation of Innovation (CFI), “The Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment (WindEEE) Dome”, awarded to Horia Hangan (PI), 2009-11. Rajiv K. Varma is one of 29 Co-PIs in this project having participation of 12 Canadian universities.

  17. Canada's Advanced Research and Innovation Network (CANARIE), “Disaster Response Network Enabled Platform (DR-NEP)”, awarded to a team comprising Rajiv Varma and three colleagues, 2010-2011

  18. NSERC, “Wind Energy Strategic Network (WESNET)”, awarded to four faculty members in Power Systems including Rajiv Varma, 2008-12

  19. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Modeling and Field Validation of Directly Interfaced Wind Turbine Generators”, 2008-09

  20. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Modeling and Field Validation of Full Converter Interfaced Wind Turbine Generators”, 2008-09

  21. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Impact of Wind Power Distributed Generation on Transformer Operation and Voltage Regulation in Hydro One Feeder Systems Phase II”, 2008-09

  22. Hydro One Networks Inc., “FACTS Applications in Integrating Wind Plants in Hydro One Feeder Systems”, 2008-2009

  23. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Interconnection of Distributed Generation Sources In Distribution Systems”, 2007-08

  24. London Hydro Inc., “Distributed Generation Optimization in Electric Power Systems” Research Grant awarded to Rajiv K. Varma and Brian Laan for one year 2007-08

  25. NSERC, “FACTS Applications for Integration of Wind Farms and Enhancement of Power System Stability”, Individual Discovery Grant, 2007-2012

  26. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Impact of Wind Power Distributed Generation on Transformer Operation and Voltage Regulation in Hydro One Feeder Systems”, 2007-08

  27. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Modeling and Electromagnetic Transient Simulation of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC), Transformer and Arc Reach Phenomena”, 2007-2010

  28. Academic Development Fund, UWO, “Western Space Project for International Space Station 2007”, New Research and Scholarly Initiative Major Grant Award given to Rajiv K. Varma and B. Tryggvason, 2007-2008 (Role 10%)

  29. Shastri Indo-Canada Institute, Calgary, “Sustainable, Independent (non-grid) Renewable Electric Power Generation for Rural Electrification”, Partnership development seed grant, 2007

  30. Hydro One Networks Inc., “Ferroresonance Studies in Wind Farms and Model Validation of Wind Turbine Generators”, 2006

  31. London Hydro Inc., “Research in Power System Engineering”, awarded to two faculty members including Rajiv K. Varma, 2006-2010

  32. Electranix Inc, Areva T&D, American Electric Power, “HVDC and FACTS Bibliography”, 2006-07

  33. NSERC, “Enhanced Real Time Digital Simulation Facility”, EQPEQ – Research Tools and Instruments: Category 1 Grant awarded to Rajiv K. Varma and three others, 2006-07

  34. CFI-IOF, “Research Facility for Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS)”, Infrastructure Operating Fund, 2005-2009

  35. MMO, “Design and Development of a Static Var Compensator (SVC) for Load Compensation” in collaboration with Cos Phi, Goderich, Ontario, MMO Interact Fund, 2004-2005

  36. CFI, “Research Facility for Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS)”, On-going New Opportunities Fund, 2005-2009

  37. NSERC, “Novel Controls for Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS)”, RGPIN – Individual Discovery Grant, 2003-2007

  38. NSERC, “Simulation facility for Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS)”, EQPEQ – Research Tools and Instruments: Category 1 Grant, 2003-2004

  39. NSERC, “A Transient Simulator for Power System Studies”, EQPEQ – Research Tools and Instruments: Category 1 Grant awarded to four faculty members including R.K. Varma, 2003-2004

  40. Academic Development Fund, UWO, “A Real Time Power System Simulation Facility”, New Research and Scholarly Initiative Major Grant Award given to two faculty members including R.K. Varma, 2003-2004

  41. Academic Development Fund, UWO, “Design of Novel Electrical Power System Controllers through Software Simulation”, New Research and Scholarly Initiative Small Grant Award given to R.K. Varma, 2002-2003

  42. New Faculty Start Up Funds, UWO, 2002

At IIT Kanpur, India

  1. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), USA, “Preparation of the Annotated Bibliography on HVDC Transmission and FACTS Devices [1996-1997]”, 1998

  2. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), USA, “Preparation of the Annotated Bibliography on HVDC Transmission and FACTS Devices [1994-1995]”, Awarded to two faculty members including R.K. Varma,1996

  3. Planning Commission and Ministry of Human Resource Department, Govt. of India, Technology Development Mission Project on Computer Networking and Intelligent Automation, "Distribution Automation", Awarded to a team of five faculty members including Rajiv Varma, 1995-97

  4. Sunoco Inc., Sarnia, Ontario, “Reliability Implications of Adjustable Speed Drives in Retrofit Applications”, Awarded to three faculty members including R.K. Varma, 1994

  5. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, New Delhi, India, “Analysis and Control of Dynamic Interaction between Multiple Static Var Compensators in Northern Region Electricity Board (NREB) Power System”, Awarded to a team of three faculty members including Rajiv Varma, 1993-96

  6. Ontario Hydro, Toronto, Canada, “Modeling of Static Var Compensators and HVDC Links”, Awarded to two faculty members including R.K. Varma, 1993