About the Centre
University of Alberta
The Alberta Power Industry Innovation Centre is a university-based research hub advancing the future of electricity systems in Alberta. It sits inside the University of Alberta and works directly with the organisations that plan, operate, and regulate the province's electricity system.
The Centre's purpose is to shorten the distance between research and operating practice. Its programmes are built so that the questions come from the sector, the work happens in the university, and the results go back out through forums, workshops, and published material rather than staying inside a lab.
Alongside the research, the Centre runs an annual student hackathon and supports graduate training — a deliberate pipeline into an industry that needs engineers who already understand how the system behaves.
Welcome from the Academic Director
Petr Musilek, PhD, Ing
- Professor, Faculty of Engineering – Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Alberta
- Associate Dean (Partnerships & Initiatives), Faculty of Engineering – Dean’s Office, University of Alberta
Welcome to the Alberta Power Industry Innovation Centre, APIC. What began as a focused research project has grown into a centre dedicated to advancing the future of electricity systems in Alberta, rooted in long-standing collaboration between industry and academia and supported through the NSERC Alliance program.
At APIC, we take a holistic view of the energy transition, recognizing that the work of utilities and system operators now extends far beyond traditional power engineering and must be approached in an integrated, interdisciplinary way. Our research brings together expertise across engineering, computing, and the applied sciences to develop solutions that sustain a reliable and efficient grid amid rapid change.
We address the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources, the use of advanced power electronic systems, the rise of data-driven operations, and the growing importance of cybersecurity and system resilience. In doing so, we aim not only to support our industry partners, but to deliver broader benefits to electricity users, communities, and the environment.
Equally important is our role in preparing the next generation. Through hands-on research, industry forums, seminars, and collaborative initiatives, students gain the skills and experience needed to step confidently into Alberta’s evolving power sector. Together, we are building both the knowledge and the people required to navigate the path toward a modern, resilient, and intelligent electricity system.
“A university-based research hub advancing the future of electricity systems in Alberta.”
At a glance
- Based at the University of Alberta, Edmonton
- Annual Forum held since 2020
- Technical workshops and the ENERGY Hackathon held since 2021
About the Centre
The Alberta Power Industry Innovation Centre (APIC), established under the auspices of the NSERC/iCORE Alberta Power Companies Industrial Research Chair in Power Quality, and currently supported by the NSERC Alliance program, promotes energy systems research, education, and exchange in Alberta. It consists of all major Alberta utility companies, the University of Alberta, and the University of Calgary.