Canada and U.K. Announce Finalists for the Power Forward Challenge

EIN CS 28 PowerForward 400

July 3, 2019

Under the challenge, seven teams from Canada and the U.K. will receive up to $3 million to start building a smart energy systems solution. In March 2021, a $1-million grand prize will be awarded to the team with the highest-performing solution.

Launched in October 2018, Power Forward challenged Canadian and U.K. innovators to join forces and accelerate breakthrough innovations that harness different energy resources for modernized power grids. The seven finalist teams were selected from a group of 44 project proposals received in a highly competitive process. They all pitched their solutions to a panel of expert judges representing grid operators, corporates, investors and governments at two pitch events held in Glasgow in May 2019 and in Ottawa in early June 2019.

With increasing demands and new energy sources powering our electricity systems, Canada needs to transform how we make and use energy. This includes modernizing  traditional power grids to be more digitally networked, flexible and resilient. 

The finalist teams developing projects in Canada are

  • London Hydro with Electron, ENMAX, the University of Western Ontario, Navigant and Gowling WLG
  • Lakeland Holding Inc. with Opus One Solutions, Kiwi Power, ATCO, Ryerson University, Georgian College and CHEC Group
  • Equilibrium Engineering with StorTera, Dalhousie University and Berwick Municipal Electric Commission

The finalist teams developing projects in the U.K. are

  • Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks with Opus One Solutions, Hydro Ottawa, Open Grid Systems, the University of Cambridge and Energy Policy Research Group
  • UNIT9 Ltd. with Simptek Canada Inc., Electronic Products and Technology, Avison Young, UCL Energy Institute, Carbon Smart and the University of Sheffield
  • Qbots Energy with ICONICS, Lanner Electronics, Energy Systems
    Catapult, Bruntwood Ltd., Manchester Metropolitan University, Hildebrand and Penso Power
  • Scene Connect Ltd. with Enbala, Locogen Limited and Mentone Energy Consulting Limited

Find out more about the Canadian finalists: https://impact.canada.ca/en/challenges/power-forward/finalists

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…