Dr. Hamidreza (Hamid) Zareipour, Schulich Chair Professor on Grid Transformation, P.Eng., FIEEE<br>

Dr. Hamidreza (Hamid) Zareipour, Schulich Chair Professor on Grid Transformation, P.Eng., FIEEE

Education:
BSc in Electrical and Computing Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Iran (1995)
MSc in Electrical and Computing Engineering, University of Tabriz, Iran (1997)
PhD in Electrical and Computing Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada (2006)
Academic Career:
Joined the University of Calgary as Assistant Professor (2007)
Promoted to Associate Professor with tenure (2012)
Promoted to Full Professor (2015)
Appointed as Schulich Chair in Grid Transformation (2025)
Professional Recognition:
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), APEGA (2008)
Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (2020)
International Collaboration:
Co-Director, National Science Foundation (NSF) WIRED Global Center


Professional Bio
Hamidreza (Hamid) Zareipour, P.Eng., Ph.D., FIEEE, is the Schulich Chair Professor on Grid Transformation in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary. A leading expert in power systems optimization, renewable energy integration, and energy storage, Hamid develops advanced decision-support models that enhance the resilience and efficiency of modern electricity grids. His research focuses on tackling uncertainty in energy markets, enabling smarter grid operations, and supporting the global transition to sustainable power systems.

With nearly $50 million in research funding as a principal and co-principal investigator, Hamid has authored over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and mentored more than 120 highly qualified personnel, shaping the next generation of energy innovators. His industry collaborations span independent system operators, transmission and distribution utilities, start-ups, growth-stage software firms specializing in smart grids, as well as government agencies and national research laboratories. These partnerships address pressing challenges such as energy transition and expansion, electricity cost management, and the optimal utilization of grid-connected assets.

As a globally recognized thought leader, Hamid provides research-driven consultancy in energy forecasting, grid resilience, demand-side management, and electricity market dynamics, advising governments, utilities, and private-sector stakeholders worldwide. A Fellow of IEEE, he has been honored with numerous awards, including the IEEE PES Technical Committee Best Paper Award, the University of Calgary’s Peak Scholar Award, and the prestigious Killam Professorship. Through his research and industry engagement, he continues to drive innovation in clean energy systems for a more sustainable future.

Research focus
1. Applications of Machine Learning and AI in Power Systems
2. Short- and Long-Term Forecasting of Electricity Demand
3. Forecasting Short-Term Electricity Market Prices for Energy and Ancillary Services
4. Optimization of Electricity Cost Management for Large Industrial Consumers
5. Optimal Operation and Planning of Standalone and Grid-Connected Energy Storage Systems
6. Planning and Operational Optimization of Hybrid Solar/Wind and Energy Storage Systems
7. Modeling the Implications of Economy-Wide Electrification on Electrical Demand and Generation Dynamics

Teaching
Dr. Zareipour typically teaches the following courses:

Undergraduate:
ENEL 500: Fourth Year Team Design Project
ENEL 587: Power Systems Analysis
ENEL 597: Power Systems Operation and Markets
ENGG 503/504: Entrepreneurial Fourth Year Team Design Project

Graduate:
ENEL 693: Restructured Electricity Markets,
ENEL 601: Power Systems Analysis (Advanced)

Research Awards and recognitions:

Killam Professorship Laureate, University of Calgary, 2024
2023 IEEE PES Best Paper Award, for the paper titled: “Energy-Storage Modeling: State-of-the-Art and Future Research Directions”, recognized by the IEEE Power and Energy Society; Role: co-author.
2023 IEEE PES PSOPE Technical Committee Prize Paper Award, for the paper titled: “Energy-Storage Modeling: State-of-the-Art and Future Research Directions”, recognized by the IEEE Power and Energy Society’s Power Systems Operation, Planing and Economics (PSOPE) Committee. Role: co-author.
2021 Departmental Graduate Educator Award for Electrical and Software Engineering, December 2021
Elevated to Fellow of the IEEE (class of 2021) for “contributions to the modeling of energy storage for system operation and planning”; November 2020
Chair Service Award, IEEE PES Power Systems Economics Subcommittee, Power Systems Operation, Planning and Economics Committee, 2019
2018 Class of Peak Scholars, University of Calgary, for ‘Training Engineering Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs’ 
Best Paper Prize winner for IEEE PES Power System Operation, Planning and Economics Committee, 2018
for the paper on behind-the-meter solar power estimation (H. Shaker, H. Zareipour and D. Wood, “A Data-Driven Approach for Estimating the Power Generation of Invisible Solar Sites,” in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 2466-2476, Sept. 2016.)
Schulich School of Engineering Outstanding Research Award for Department of Electrical and Computer Eng., 2017.
GREAT Supervisor Award, 2017, presented by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Graduate Studies for ‘outstanding supervision and mentorship to graduate students’.
Supervisor for the second-place winner project at 2016 Calgary International New Energy Venture Competition. Project: Estimating behind-the-meter solar power generation in large areas (Invisible Predictions Team).
Co-chair of the Working Group on Energy Forecasting, winner of the 2015 Best Working Group Award, IEEE PES Power System Planning and Implementation Committee, 
Graduate Educator Excellence Award, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, 2013
Best Paper Award, 2011 International Conference on Smart Grids, Green Communications and IT Energy-aware Technologies
Early Research Excellence Award, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, 2010-2011
Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision, recognized by the Association of Graduate Students, Department of Electrical and Computer Eng., University of Calgary, 2009-2010.

Teaching Awards and recognitions:

Teaching Achievement Award, Winter term 2018, Schulich School of Engineering
Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Courses, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, 2013.
Teaching Excellence Award, Recognized by 3rd/4th year students, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2010-2011.
Teaching Excellence Award, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2009-2010
Professor of the Year Award for Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Engineering Students’ Society, Recognized by 4th year students, 2008-2009
Teaching Excellence Award for Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Engineering Students’ Society, Recognized by 4th year students, 2007-2008