SMART, the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team, converges Information Technology, Communication Engineering and Computing fields to develop prototypes and solutions for complex applied research problems. Our group conducts applied R&D in emerging and next generation technologies and helps stimulate BC’s IT industry through joint, collaborative industry, academic, and government research.
BCIT’s Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) is a multi-faceted research team with skills and expertise in a variety of disciplines. In addition to employing a team of full-time researchers, this group draws on the expertise of BCIT faculty, staff and students and a network of research partners from industry, government, and universities across Canada.
If you have a potential project in mind, ask a SMART research expert.
Email: Vidya_Vankayala@bcit.ca
Dr. Vidya Vankayala has more than 30 years of experience in the utility and hi-tech sectors. Dr. Vankayala has helped large utility companies in grid modernization, distribution automation, microgrid development, smart energy program management, and cyber/physical system security.
Previously with Powertech Labs Inc., Dr. Vankayala was responsible for the Grid Modernization team, which included distribution automation, telecom, EV, mobile applications, and the world-class High-Power Lab which offers unique grid-connected testing and validation services to the utility industry.
Dr. Vankayala received a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Andhra University and a master’s degree in Power Systems from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. He also holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Calgary and has extensive training in management and team leadership during his tenure at BC Transmission and BC Hydro.
He lives in Burnaby with his wife and son. In his spare time, he pursues music as a serious passion. Vidya is a member of several world-renowned jazz music ensembles in the Vancouver area and is a sought-after teacher of South Indian classical music. He is the Founder and current board member of a local non-profit focused on Indian music and dance.
Email: Mohamed_Hammami@bcit.ca
Mohamed Hammami is a Research Associate with the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), where he specializes in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity for critical energy infrastructure. Currently pursuing his Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies, Mohamed combines deep technical expertise in industrial control systems with practical cybersecurity implementation experience.
His research focuses on developing proactive cybersecurity early warning systems for OT substations and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), adhering to ISA/IEC 62443 standards. Mohamed has established himself as both a researcher and educator, co-instructing Industrial Network Cybersecurity courses at BCIT and developing comprehensive course materials on OT and critical infrastructure cybersecurity for academic and industry training.
With expertise spanning IEC 61850 substation automation standards, industrial network segmentation following the PURDUE model, and hands-on experience with real-time digital simulators (RTDS), Mohamed bridges the gap between theoretical cybersecurity frameworks and practical implementation in energy systems. His work encompasses network security monitoring using Security Onion, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and secure remote access technologies for industrial environments.
Mohamed has contributed to the academic community through publications presented at CIGRE Canada Conference and the IEEE Electrical Power and Energy Conference (EPEC), focusing on virtualized learning platforms and digital twin technologies for critical infrastructure. He is multilingual, with fluency in English, French, Arabic, and Italian, enabling him to collaborate effectively in diverse international research and industry settings.
Education:
- Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies (MEng SGST) – BCIT, ongoing
- Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Digital Cybersecurity (BTech) with Distinction – BCIT, 2024
- Industrial Network Cybersecurity Diploma – BCIT, 2022
Email: Clay_Howey@bcit.ca
Clay has over twenty five years’ experience in project management, software development, distributed systems and data communications. Currently, he is the Technical Lead on the Smart Microgrid research initiative at BCIT and coordinates activities of researchers in the areas of energy management, renewable generation integration, substation automation, smart metering, and electric vehicles (EVs) & charging stations. Clay is an advocate of EVs and owns and drives a Nissan Leaf.
Email: Eric_Hawthorne@bcit.ca
Eric Hawthorne is a research associate at the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) within the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation of British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver, Canada. His work focusses on software and systems architecture and renewable energy microgrid energy management systems. He has extensive experience in smart grid applications, systems engineering, and software engineering. He is a co-author of “97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know: Collective Wisdom from the Experts”. Eric’s main research interests are smart grid control systems for renewable energy integration and demand-response.
Eric received his M.Sc. degree in computing and information science from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada in 1988.
Email: MManbachi@bcit.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/moeinmanbachi
Dr. Moein Manbachi is a sustainability-driven research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) leader, professional engineer, and educator with a Ph.D. in Applied Sciences and extensive industry–academia experience across clean energy systems, renewable integration, and resilient infrastructure. His work focuses on advancing low-carbon, cost-effective, and digitally enabled energy solutions that support the transition to sustainable and resilient power systems.
Dr. Manbachi’s technical expertise spans smart microgrid systems, renewable energy modeling and integration, smart cities, energy conservation, advanced energy automation, and critical infrastructure cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on practical deployment and system-level impact. He has been leading BCIT’s Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Lab (CICL) since 2017, where he provides strategic direction, manages multidisciplinary research teams, and oversees applied projects aligned with industry needs and national clean-tech priorities. Under his leadership, the lab has supported 20+ student research and capstone projects and delivered hands-on training through 6+ electrical engineering courses at the institute.
Over the past five years, Dr. Manbachi’s leadership has contributed to securing over $4 million in applied research funding, enabling large-scale, industry-driven clean technology and Digital Twin innovation programs. His leadership in Digital Twin research and innovation has positioned BCIT as one of the leading institutions in Digital Twin technologies, directly contributing to the recent establishment of the Centre for Digital Twin Innovation at CARI, a milestone that strengthens BCIT’s role in advancing next-generation clean-tech, infrastructure resilience, and applied digital engineering solutions.
An active researcher and thought leader, Dr. Manbachi has authored or co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications (1100+ citations). His current research emphasizes Digital Twin technologies for sustainable systems, virtualization platforms for experiential learning, and AI-driven decision-making for energy optimization. Through his combined leadership, management, and technical expertise, Dr. Manbachi continues to advance clean technology innovation, renewable energy adoption, and workforce development in support of a more sustainable energy future.
Education
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Martin Ordonez Lab, Power Electronics and Renewable Energy; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
- Ph.D., Mechatronics Systems Engineering; Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C., Canada
Awards
- 2024 BCIT Employee Excellence Award – Applied Research
- Electricity Human Resources Canada Award for Innovation in Human Resources Practices, [As a SMART member] (2022)
- Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Post-Doctorate Fellowship (2016)
Publications
Google Scholar profile:
News
- BCIT SMART recipient of 2025 National Cybersecurity Consortium Funding for cybersecurity project, October 28, 2025.
- Dr. Manbachi presented “Digital Twin Applications for Critical Infrastructure Resilience” Technical Learning at EGBC AGM 2025, October 2025.
- BCIT researcher spotlight: Meet Dr. Moein Manbachi, November 4, 2025.
- Learn to plan in the ‘sandbox’ with Digital Twins, Innovation Magazine, Engineering and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC), Fall 2025, PP 24-25.
- Speaker Spotlight – Moein Manbachi, P. Eng., Innovation Magazine, Engineering and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC), Spring 2025, PP 16-17.
- BCIT News – Our People: Meet Dr. Moein Manbachi, Project Leader, SMART, August 2024.
- Virtualized Experiential Learning Platform, The Economic Impact of Applied Research at Canada’s Polytechnics, Polytechnics Canada, August 2024.
- BCIT receives $230k from Future Skills Centre to enhance Virtualized Experiential Learning Platform, June 11, 2024.
- Dr. Manbachi presented “Virtualization in Smart City Critical Energy Infrastructure”, the IEEE Smart Cities Society, Nov. 15, 2022. More information >>
- BCIT researchers receive $2-million in funding for Shock-proofing the Future of Work, April 7, 2021.
Recent Projects
- Digital Twin Platform for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Modeling and Assessment, National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC), Jan. 2026- ongoing.
- Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Experiential Training Program, National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC), Jan. 2026- ongoing.
- DigitalTwin Modeling and Simulation, OCS Community Solar Regulatory Innovation, March 2025 – ongoing.
- Grid’s Digital Twin Modeling and Assessment, Corporation of the CoP, October 2025 – Ongoing.
- Empowering Diverse Communities with Skills Development through Virtual Experiential Learning, Future Skills Centre, April – December 2024.
- Critical Energy Infrastructure Digital Twins Applications in Cybersecurity Compliance Framework Control Profile Development, Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), January – March 2024.
- Application of BCIT’s Virtualized Experiential Learning Platform to NRCan’s Critical Infrastructure Training Platform Program, Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), 2023.
- Fundamentals of Substation Automation Systems, Micro-Credential Project, BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills,
- Data Research on an EV Vehicle (BCR) – Phase 2: Mitigation strategies and potential solutions, 2023.
- Data Research on an EV Vehicle: Data Acquisition, Storage, and Signal Transmission, June 2023 – September 2023.
- Virtualization of the Experiential Learning Platforms and Its Pedagogical Models, Future Skills Centre, March 5, 2021 – March 31, 2023.
- Digital Supercluster – Building Program (in partnership with Siemens Canada), March 2021 – December 2022 – Technical Lead.
- NRCAN Project: An Experiential Learning Platform Required for Critical Infrastructure Training and Education for cybersecurity, January – March 2022.
- Nugrid: BCIT CARI MV Lab and Optical Sensor Development and Testing, 2021-2022.
Collaborators
Funding Partners
University and Community Partners
- BCIT SoE
- UBC – Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- SFU – Mechatronics Systems Engineering
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)
- Thompson River University (TRU)
- NSMG-Net
Industry and Utility Partners
- BC Hydro
- Fortis BC
- Siemens Canada
- RTDS Technologies
- Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
- Schneider Electric
- Awesense
- FusePower Management
- Islay Power
- Hydron Energy
- EVECTRIX
Student Researchers
The CICL lab provides training and mentorship to various types of students with electrical engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity backgrounds.
Our team values the contributions students make to most of our projects. Among our students, we host post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. students from other universities and institutes, and also have undergraduate and M.Eng. students doing their capstone projects. Depending on our project needs, we also hire students for co-op semesters and may offer them part-time employment.
See the latest student news from those who worked with Dr. Manbachi:
Student spotlight: Meet BCIT Applied Research student Marcus Fu
Meet Our Summer Students, Gurp Virk
Courses:
Smart Cities and Sustainable Transportation, SGST 9130. Instructor: Dr. Moein Manbachi,
Fundamentals of Substation Automation Systems, APRE 4110. Instructor: Dr. Moein Manbachi,
Research Centres
Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Lab (CICL)
Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI)
Coming up Soon… Centre for Digital Twin Innovation
For more info, please contact Dr. Manbachi
Email: JNayak12@bcit.ca
At BCIT, Jay has developed web applications in Energy Management System (EMS) for smart microgrids. He has implemented user interfaces (UI)s aimed at learning the usages and benefits of smart microgrids for communities in North America. Furthermore, Jay has created several educative cybersecurity models addressing the detection and mitigation strategies for cyber threats on Industrial Control System (ICS) protocols used in Critical infrastructure systems.
As a Software Engineer, Jay has designed and implemented highly scalable web applications delivering business requirements of three Fortune Global 500, one Public Organization, and two different MNCs. His industrial experience includes collaborating with cross-functional engineering, QA teams, project managers, and business teams for secure application deliveries. His knowledge & skills in software engineering include Full Stack Web Developments, Web Designs, API Designs, Scripting, Problem-Solving, Deployments, and Requirements Gathering.
Jay completed his Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Electronic Systems Engineering from the University of Regina (UoR), Saskatchewan. As a Research Assistant at UoR, Jay published a thesis focusing on Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure Systems, one journal paper, and two conference papers on cybersecurity. His research thesis focused on Cyber Vulnerability Assessment And Defense Strategies On Siting Distributed Generation In A Smart Grid Environment. During his tenure as a Research Assistant, Jay gained knowledge & skills in Cybersecurity Research, Cyber Vulnerability Assessment, Threat Modeling, Security Measures Development, and Security Principles.
Email: Minoo_Shariat@bcit.ca
Minoo received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Azad University of Tehran, Iran, and Master of Engineering Leadership in Clean Energy Engineering (MEL C.E.E.N) from the University of British Columbia (UBC), in Vancouver. She also holds a Sustainable Energy Management Advanced Certificate (SEMAC) and is a certified RETScreen expert (CRE). Minoo is a member of Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) and a senior member of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
Minoo has worked in manufacturing, consulting engineering firms, and R&D for over 20 years. She is a Research Associate at the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) within the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation of British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver, Canada.
Minoo functions as a team leader and participant; and designs, plans and conducts smart micro-grid, renewable energy resources integration, power automation and substation automation systems projects. She also collaborates with BCIT’s various schools on the development and delivery of smart grid and renewable energy related courses.
Minoo’s main research interests are smart grids, smart micro-grids, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energies, energy management and control & automation systems.
Email: Janet_So@bcit.ca
Janet So is a research analyst in the Smart Microgrid Applied Research Group (SMART) at BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). As part of the software team for the Smart Microgrid research initiative, she has developed applications in areas of energy management systems, meter and sensor data acquisition, and demand response algorithms. Her research interests are in smart grid software control systems and demand response. Janet is an experienced software developer, particularly in web applications. She has worked on a variety of small and large software projects ranging from an e-commerce fashion website to business intelligent software suites.
Janet holds a B.SoftEng. from University of Waterloo.
Email: Alan_Stewart@bcit.ca
Alan has been programming since grade 10. His first computer had only 1K of programmable memory. Since then Alan has worked on many software projects, big and small. He started his career at Electronic Arts Canada developing games and audio drivers and then moved to Radical Entertainment. He then branched out to work on ACCPAC for Windows Corporate Series Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable 4.1 and 4.2 at ACCPAC Canada. After that, things got interesting doing online gaming before Alan finally landed his current position at BCIT.
In 10+ years at BCIT, Alan has worked on numerous projects dealing with Smart Microgrid technologies, including Energy Management Systems; gathering, storing, and displaying data from a myriad of sources and devices; creating websites; and learning new and innovative ways to bring the future into the present. Alan also created the SMART Microgrid Card Game as a tool to teach others what Smart Microgrids are all about.
Alan has a B.Sc. from Simon Fraser University (1988) and completed the Self-Employment Program at Douglas College (2004) when he founded Everywhere Cell Phone Games and created 18 mobile games and other applications. Alan brings in a wide variety of technical skills and experience garnered from 30+ years of industry work.
Email: Yuliia_Zheldak@bcit.ca