Hydro Ottawa Acquires 10 Run-of-the-River Hydroelectric Facilities

The10 hydroelectric facilities, acquired from Fortis Inc., in Ontario and nearby New York State, represent 30.9 megawatts of installed operating green energy capacity. The newly-acquired Ontario assets are connected to the provincial electricity grid, while the assets in New York State provide synergies with Hydro Ottawa’s existing generation operations due to their close proximity to Ottawa.

Hydro Ottawa was already the largest municipally-owned producer of green energy in Ontario with a generation capacity of 48 megawatts, enough to power 40,000 homes a year. The acquisition aligns with Hydro Ottawa’s 2012-2016 Strategic Direction to increase the utility’s supply of clean energy to customers, and by pursuing low risk opportunities with stable long-term returns. Prior to the acquisition, Hydro Ottawa conducted extensive due diligence.

Hydro Ottawa’s renewable energy generation business proved a significant source of revenue for the company in 2014, generating nearly $20 million in revenue. In the span of three years, Hydro Ottawa has tripled its green generating capacity and diversified its revenue streams. This acquisition comes after the company’s 2014 announcement of a 40-year contract with the former Ontario Power Authority (now merged with the Independent Electricity System Operator) to expand its Chaudière Falls site with a new 29 megawatt facility.

The just-purchased Ontario assets are located in Ottawa, Rideau Lakes, Kingston (2), Gananoque and South Crosby. The New York State assets are located in Lyons Falls, Dolgeville, Philadelphia and Diana.
Run-of-the-river hydroelectric facilities have minimal impact on the environment because they don’t produce pollution or greenhouse gases. Instead they rely on the natural flow of their water source, and can generate power 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long.

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Therefore, we want your insight on the biggest challenges or issues you face when installing loadcentres, breakers (CAFI, GFI's…) and other surge protection devices. We ask that you do not provide product specific details but rather your general issues and concerns or any questions that have come to mind while working with these product types. Provide us with your valued expert insight into the issues you have faced so manufacturers can better inform you about the installation and use of these products. Lets generate some discussion that will help guide the Industry.

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Sonepar Canada Launches Three New eCommerce Mobile Applications

Sonepar Sonepar Canada has announced the launch of new mobile applications for Gescan Vallen, Sesco and Lumen.

The mobile apps were officially released as of June of this year and features barcode scanning, access to pricing, product availability, store locator and much more – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new mobile app is changing the way customers can interact with the Operating Companies within Sonepar Canada. The barcode scanning functionality is a popular feature amongst customers allowing them to scan an item easily and add it to their cart.

Grid Reliability to Be Improved with New Transmission Line in Fredericton Region

Fredericton Transmission Line NB Power recenly announced it will seek approval to build a new transmission line in the Fredericton area, which will improve the reliability of the power grid in the region for approximately 25, 000 customers.

The new proposed 15-kilometre transmission line will run from the Rainsford Substation, in Fredericton, to the Mactaquac Terminal.

“NB Power strives to offer its customer a reliable power grid that meets or exceeds all utility standards,” said NB Power’s President and CEO, Gaëtan Thomas. “This will increase transmission reliability for customers in the Fredericton region with fewer interruptions that can be restored within minutes rather than hours or days.”

Emergency Lighting Principles: Safety and Security on the Path of Egress

By Kevin Smee, Vice President Sales at AimLite

Most of us take light for granted. It has become so ubiquitous and cheap to use that we don’t really stop to think about emergencies. Thankfully most buildings are required by law since 1974 to be equipped with emergency lighting that automatically activates during power failures to facilitate our exit.

Emergency lighting is only one component of a building’s life safety systems, but perhaps one of the most important.

Finding the Answer

Pick up a newspaper or scan your preferred electronic newsfeed and you’ll likely see a series ...

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