Siemens Canada, NB Power and Nova Scotia Power Receive $36M for Smart Grid Atlantic Project

Jan 29, 2019

The $35.66 million in federal funding is for a joint pilot project that will research and test in real time how the grid of the future can optimize integration of renewables, ensure grid stability, and manage decentralized distribution in order to better manage the provinces’ electricity, potentially reduce future electricity costs for consumers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This partnership will be truly ground-breaking,” says Faisal Kazi, President and CEO of Siemens Canada. “Together with NB Power and Nova Scotia Power, we will develop and implement a powerful cloud-based energy system platform (ESP), allowing everyone to participate in the energy market. The ESP will enable data analytics, ensure connectivity, and provide tools for developers to create customer-focused applications and services. The platform will also optimize the overall electrical grid accelerate transitioning into a greener future not only in Canada but throughout the globe.”

Siemens will research and develop the made-in-Canada ESP software and NB Power and Nova Scotia Power will provide the needed assets and customer engagement to demonstrate and test these platforms in real scenarios and real time. Siemens and its partners have also committed to imore collaboration with post-secondary institutions, driving greater gender diversity in the workforce, developing intellectual property (IP) produced in Canada, and driving more engagement with local indigenous communities in the clean energy sector.

“Our goal is to gradually eliminate the remaining 20 to 25% of our generation that is carbon producing while ensuring we protect our customers from the significant rate increases that have resulted from this transition elsewhere,” says Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO, NB Power. “The only way to have a fully renewable future is with smart grid technologies that ease the acceptance of small-scale renewables onto the grid. With these new federal investments, we’ll be able to accelerate our pilot projects and testing to ensure that customers get a greener New Brunswickgrid without the disruptions we’re seeing in other parts of the world.”

Photo source: Siemens