CEA files submission with CRTC to improve the efficiency, reliability and security of the electrical smart grid

EIN 22 CS CEA CRTC 400

May 22, 2019

On May 15th, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) made a submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requesting changes to the regulatory regime for wireless communications that will enable CEA’s Canadian Electrical Utility (CEU) members wholesale access to cellular networks.

The requested changes would enable CEU’s to cost effectively, and reliably, build the Canadian Smart Grid, with benefits including, but not limited to;

  • Optimizing the electrification of transportation,
  • Further enabling the deployment of virtual power plant technology to improve grid resiliency and reduce the ecological footprint of power generation,
  • Improving the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as wind, and solar,
  • Increasing grid automation to improve safety for line workers, first responders, and the public,
  • Significantly improving the reliability and quality of power delivered, an essential requirement of emerging high-tech industries.

“Enabling the development of our Canadian Smart Grid is essential to the electrification of our country’s economy. CEA members are eager to work with the CRTC and Canadian telecom companies to help achieve this,” commented Francis Bradley, COO of the CEA. “CEA is requesting these important regulatory reforms in order to facilitate the efficient, reliable and secure operation of the emerging Smart Grid.”

CEA’s requested changes are important as the Smart Grid will require tens of millions of smart connected devices deployed throughout Canada’s electrical grid. These devices would represent a significant increase in machine to machine communication (M2M) currently used by CEUs. In building the Smart Grid, it is essential that this M2M communication be robust, secure, reliable and cost effective.

In delivering the Smart Grid to Canadians, changes in the how CEUs are able to access Canadian wireless telecommunication networks are necessary, and have already been implemented in countries such as the NetherlandsAustraliaItaly, and Belgium.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Hammond Power Solutions Appoints Linda Nadeau Sanford as Western Regional Sales Manager

    Hammond Power Solutions Appoints Linda Nadeau Sanford as Western Regional Sales Manager

    May 12, 2025 Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), a leader in dry-type transformers and power quality solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Nadeau Sanford as the new Western Regional Sales Manager. Linda will play a key part in driving sales and revenue across the Western Canada region. She will oversee territory management, advance… Read More…

  • Susanna Zagar, Ontario Energy Board CEO, Named EHRC’s 2025 Agent of Change

    Susanna Zagar, Ontario Energy Board CEO, Named EHRC’s 2025 Agent of Change

    May 12, 2025 Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) is proud to announce Susanna Zagar (she/her), Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), as the recipient of the 2025 Agent of Change Award. This recognition celebrates Ms. Zagar’s remarkable leadership and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the electricity sector. Since stepping… Read More…

  • AD Reports Huge Jump in Member Sales Through Three Months of 2025

    AD Reports Huge Jump in Member Sales Through Three Months of 2025

    May 12, 2025 AD reports that member sales in the first three months of 2025 increased 23% to a record $24 billion across the group’s 14 divisions and three countries. AD welcomed over 550 new members in the first quarter through both organic growth and the IMARK Electrical merger. AD members also acquired another 10… Read More…

  • Legrand Introduces Wattstopper i3 Building Management Platform

    Legrand Introduces Wattstopper i3 Building Management Platform

    May 12, 2025 Legrand® has announced the launch of the Wattstopper i3 Platform, a next-generation lighting and building intelligence solution powered by KODE Labs, a global leader of advanced smart building technology.  The partnership positions Legrand to lead the lighting controls industry into a new era of unified experiences, seamless integrations, and data-driven control, making it easier… Read More…