Dr. Rajiv K. Varma is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at The University of Western Ontario (UWO). He held the position of Hydro One Chair in Power Systems Engineering established by Hydro One Networks Inc. - the largest transmission and distribution utility in Ontario, Canada, from 2012 until the culmination of the Chair program in 2015. He has over 35 years' rich experience in academia. Dr. Varma is widely known for his pioneering work in Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and the grid integration of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind power and battery energy storage systems. Among his most influential contributions is the invention of PV-STATCOM, a groundbreaking technology that enables solar photovoltaic (PV) farms to provide critical grid-stabilizing functions both during the NIGHT and day. Varma led the world’s first field demonstration of PV-STATCOM in 2016 at Bluewater Power in Sarnia, Ontario. Since then, the technology has been adopted globally. He holds 22 granted and four pending patents on PV-STATCOM technology in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, China and India.

In recognition of his excellence in engineering and exceptional service to the profession and society, Dr. Varma has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, one of the highest distinctions in the Canadian engineering profession.