Abstract: Future wireless networks (beyond 5G/sixth-generation (6G) networks) are envisioned to support 3D communication by integrating terrestrial and aerial networks. The objective is to provide connectivity to a large number of devices (known as massive connectivity), to support substantial traffic demands, and expand coverage. However, effective resource management in future wireless networks is a challenge because of massive resource-constrained devices, diverse quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, and a high density of heterogeneous devices. In this seminar, I will present my recent research progress which is focused on communication networking aspects of the Internet of Things (IoT), with emphasis on algorithm design, network architecture development, and system-level performance analysis. I will provide a brief discussion on my three most significant contributions which focuses on the design of novel algorithms and communication protocols for IoT networks, that have both (i) enhanced network performance, in terms of spectrum efficiency, coverage, and energy efficiency, and (ii) satisfied a wide range of IoT devices’ requirements and constraints. I will then share the long-term goal of my research program which is to develop efficient and low complexity resource management schemes to tackle the challenges of seamless connectivity of heterogeneous devices anytime and anywhere. Finally, I will present my short-term objectives in the next five years which are to develop resource management schemes for massive connectivity in future terrestrial networks, aerial networks, and self-sustainable networks (SSNs) while considering different objectives and constraints, including network scalability, reliability, latency, efficiency (spectral usage and energy consumption), and complexity. Registration required! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/resource-management-for-massive-connectivity-in-future-wireless-networks-tickets-111059596242 Waleed Ejaz (S’12-M’14-SM’16) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Science & Engineering at Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada. He is also the founding director of Next Generation Wireless Networks (NEWNET) research laboratory. Previously, he held academic and research positions at Ryerson University, Carleton University, and Queen’s University in Canada. He received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan, and the National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Ph.D. degree in Information and Communication Engineering from Sejong University, Republic of Korea, in 2014. He has co-authored over 90 papers in prestigious journals and conferences and 3 books. His current research interests include the Internet of Things (IoT), energy harvesting, 5G and beyond networks, and mobile edge computing. He is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Communications Magazine, IEEE Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the IEEE ACCESS. Dr. Ejaz completed certificate courses on “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education” from the Chang School at Ryerson University. He is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Ejaz is a senior member of IEEE, member of ACM, and an ACM distinguished speaker.

Abstract A microgrid is defined as a group of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and loads that act locally as a single controllable entity and can operate in both grid-connected and islanded modes. Microgrids are considered a critical link in the evolution from vertically integrated bulk power systems to smart decentralized networks, by facilitating the integration of DERs. Entities, such as government agencies, utilities, military bases, and universities around the world are deploying microgrids, and an increasing number of these systems are expected to be developed in the next decade. In general, stability in microgrids has been treated from the perspective of conventional bulk power systems. However, the nature of the stability problem and dynamic performance of a microgrid are considerably different than those of a conventional power system due to intrinsic differences between microgrids and bulk power systems, such as size, feeder types, high share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), converter-interfaced components, low inertia, measurement devices such as Phase-Locked Loop (PLL), unbalanced operation, etc. This seminar discusses the findings of the award-winning IEEE PES Task Force on Microgrid Stability Definitions, Analysis, and Modeling, which defines concepts and identifies relevant issues related to stability in microgrids. The seminar presents definitions and classification of microgrid stability, considering pertinent microgrid features such as voltage-frequency dependence, unbalancing, low inertia, and generation intermittency. A few examples will be also presented, highlighting some of the stability classes discussed during the seminar. Mostafa Farrokhabadi’s Bio Dr. Mostafa Farrokhabadi is the Senior Director of Technology at BluWave-ai, an internationally award-winning startup offering AI-enabled control and optimization solutions for smart grids. He has more than 8 years of experience in designing mission-critical grid solutions for industry and academia, including technical leadership of a $6M international consortium in Electric Grid Modernization, and Smart Grid projects with Hatch and Canadian Solar. Mostafa has authored/co-authored several high-impact technical papers and patents on intelligent control and optimization of renewable-penetrated grids. Mostafa obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has also studied and performed research in Sweden at KTH and Germany at KIT. During the course of his career, Mostafa has received multiple business, research, and teaching awards, including the prestigious University of Waterloo Doctoral Thesis Completion Award and Ottawa's Forty Under 40. Mostafa has also led the award-winning IEEE Power and Energy Society Task Force on microgrid stability, an international coalition of 21 researchers from 14 institutions investigating stability issues in microgrids. Currently, he serves as an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. Admission: Free. Registration required at https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/232497. For any additional information, please contact: ajit.pardasani@ieee.org or branislav@ieee.org. Co-sponsors: IEEE Ottawa Section, IEEE Power and Energy Society Ottawa Chapter (PES), Instrumentation & Measurement Society Chapter (IMS), Reliability Society and Power Electronics Society Joint Chapter (RS/PELS), Communications Society, Consumer Electronics Society, and Broadcast Technology Society Joint Chapter (ComSoc/CESoc/BTS), IEEE Ottawa Educational Activities (EA), and IEEE WIE Ottawa.

Driven by global environmental emission issues and tighter requirements for system resilience and reliability, electricity production is shifting from a centralized paradigm to a decentralized one. In this context, renewable energy sources (RES) and electric vehicles (EVs) have proliferated over the past decade, exhibiting a steadily increasing trend. Thus, today, a large number of wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and EVs are connected to medium- (1-69 kV) and low-voltage (=1 kV) grids, with traditional integrated bulk power systems becoming decentralized in the presence of active distribution networks, where the flow of power is bidirectional between generators and "prosumers". Such systems are typified by a high penetration of metering infrastructures, generating a large volume of data, providing the opportunity to harness the power of big data using data-driven techniques. This seminar discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern power and energy systems, in particular electrical distribution networks. Realworld examples of the use of AI for energy storage systems optimization and control will be provided and discussed. Key Focus • What are modern power systems control and optimization issues? • How data-driven techniques can help? • What is the state-of-the-art? • What is the path forward? Admission is FREE! Everyone is welcome! Registration is required!   RSVP: https://bit.ly/35qz040 BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Mostafa Farrokhabadi is the Senior Director of Technology at BluWave-ai. Concurrently, he serves as Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. He has more than 8 years of experience in designing mission-critical grid solutions for industry and academia, including technical leadership of a $6M international consortium in electric grid modernization, and smart grids projects with Hatch and Canadian Solar. Mostafa has (co)authored several articles in high-impact journals, conference proceedings, and magazines, and holds patents on intelligent control and optimization of renewable-penetrated grids. Mostafa has also led the award-winning IEEE Power and Energy Society Task Force on microgrid stability, an international coalition of 21 researchers from 14 institutions investigating stability issues in microgrids. Mostafa obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has also studied and performed research in Sweden at KTH and Germany at KIT. During the course of his career, Mostafa has received multiple business, research, and teaching awards, including the prestigious University of Waterloo Doctoral Thesis Completion Award and Ottawa's Forty Under 40.