PowerStream in 10 Best List of Smart Grid Solution Providers

June 16, 2016

PowerStream, based in Vaughan, ON, has been named as one of the 10 best smart grid solution providers in North America by Energy CIO Insights magazine. The list recognizes organizations at the forefront of providing smart grid solutions for the energy sector.

Selection is based on a number of criteria including adaptation to current industry trends, current and future business plans, as well as what differentiates an organization from its competitors. PowerStream was selected based on its innovative approach in implementing cutting-edge technologies and its strategy to embrace the future of grid modernization — a future that sees fewer large, central generating assets and more distributed generation resources, including solar, at the “grid edge.”

The utility’s current portfolio includes battery storage, microgrids, residential energy storage, solar generation and other customer-facing programs that reduce the strain on the grid while helping customers to save money. Here are just two examples of leading-edge projects:

• a partnership with the Korea Electric Power Corporation to develop a utility scaled microgrid, which has been constructed in Penetanguishene, Ontario and has the ability to provide backup power supply for hundreds of commercial, institutional and residential customers. In addition to mitigating outages, the Penetanguishene Microgrid also reinforces the power grid by optimizing operational flexibility. This project is expected to be used as a template for other utilities within North America. Shown in the photo: Powerstream and community leaders breaking ground for the project in 2015.

• a residential energy storage pilot initiative referred to as “POWER.HOUSE”, which involves 20 customers within its service territory who live in areas that are historically at a higher risk for outages. POWER.HOUSE is Canada’s first virtual power plant, which uses its aggregate fleet of solar and battery storage systems that can be autonomously controlled through intelligent software to simulate a single, larger power generating facility.