Roy Billinton

Distinguished Researcher Award - Fall 1993

Professor Billinton's career began as an apprentice and journeyman electrician prior to completing his B.Sc. at the University of Manitoba. He completed his M.Sc. while working at Manitoba Hydro and his Ph.D. while teaching at this University.

Professor Billinton's scholarship and leadership capabilities were recognized and he rose quickly to the rank of Full Professor. He was selected the C.J. Mackenzie professor in Engineering, Department Head, and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies, Research and Extension) in the College, the latter position he holds while teaching graduate and undergraduate classes.

The excellence of Dr. Billinton's research in power system reliability and planning is recognized by students, peers at the University of Saskatchewan, and colleagues in public and private sector utility companies. His work on the appraisal of reliability cost and worth of electrical power systems is an important innovation that has significant impact on the planning and design of these systems and on our daily lives.

Dr. Billinton has supervised some 70 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, many of whom have careers in academe and the utility industry. As Associate Dean, he encourages colleagues in their research and assists junior colleagues by example and sharing his expertise. He authored and co-authored seven books and 500 hundred published papers.

His teaching and research extends beyond Canada's borders through interactions on CIDA projects and as a lecturer and consultant to power authorities throughout the world. Dr. Billinton has served as a member of the Public Utilities Review Commission, the Electrical Energy Options Review Panel and other public commissions.

In recognition of his research expertise in electrical engineering and power systems, Dr. Billinton has been appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Electrical Institute of Canada, and the Safety and Reliability Society. He has chaired the power System Reliability Subsection of the Canadian Electrical Association, was selected the recipient of the CEA Distinguished Service Award. The University of Saskatchewan underscored his contribution to scholarship by awarding him an earned D.Sc. degree in 1975.

Through his academic research, training of graduate students, and leadership in bringing scientific research into the daily lives of people throughout the world, Professor Billinton is a worthy recipient of the Distinguished Researcher Award.