Report Sees Consumers Driving Tomorrow’s Electricity System

February 6, 2017 

A new vision paper by the Electricity Distributors Association and its member local utilities proposes a new way forward for Ontario’s electricity system that recognizes consumers as drivers of change and leverages new technologies to deliver high-quality electricity services. The findings and recommendations offer insights valuable to electricity distributors everywhere.

The report, The Power to Connect: Advancing Customer-Driven Electricity Solutions for Ontario, explains that the integration of local, small-scale power generation and storage technology (see illustration), known as distributed energy resources (DER), will be key to achieving a more resilient system that can alleviate cost pressures.

“This vision paves a way forward to the benefit of our customers,” says Todd Wilcox, Chair, Electricity Distributors Association and President of North Bay Hydro. “Beyond their current role in delivering safe, reliable electricity, local utilities can potentially own, operate and integrate customer owned distributed energy resources right into their local systems, contributing to a much more flexible grid that better meets consumer needs. It’s a vision that acknowledges the growth of local DER that is shared between the customer and the utility, but works in tandem with the existing bulk power grid.”

With the advent of solar power generation and growth in home battery storage, it becomes clear that today’s utilities will factor prominently in this new system by leveraging DER — a statement backed up by insights gathered from over 80% of Ontario’s utility executives. In fact, some local utilities are already leading the charge, launching micro-grid projects and other initiatives designed to improve the local power system and enhance the customer experience:

  • Oshawa PUC, PowerStream (a founding utility of Alectra Inc.) and Veridian Connections are working on micro-grid projects that integrate multiple sources of clean energy and leverage the latest in energy storage technologies to create connected, self-sufficient and energy-secure communities
  • Hydro Ottawa and its partners are building North America’s first-ever district utility called ZIBI, where future residents will benefit from living in a brand new, green and technologically advanced community
  • Niagara Peninsula Energy and Horizon Utilities (a founding utility of Alectra Inc.) have been using their customer data to develop targeted conservation programs that are achieving strong results
  • Collus PowerStream is also using its abundance of data in its new SmartMAP tool, a comprehensive solution that allows the utility to complete all their tasks in one application. It is already improving power restoration, decreasing system expansion costs, reducing power theft, producing energy savings and improving customer service
  • ENWIN Utilities is one of the first utilities in Canada to use drone technology to make power restoration work more cost-effective and safer for employees
  • Entegrus was the first utility in Canada to install grid-edge voltage controls to help improve power flows over long distances. The technology has already delivered many benefits and two other utilities – London Hydro and ENWIN Utilities have also installed the technology

“Local utilities are the solution because they have the customers and they know their communities’ energy needs better than anyone else,” says Wilcox. “They also have the technical savvy to leverage new technology to offer consumers more choice in their electricity services and more benefits.”

EDA’s President and CEO, Teresa Sarkesian, adds, “The Power to Connect is aimed at enabling the sector to be ready to respond to customers’ expanding needs. It offers a roadmap to government, agencies, regulators and stakeholders to begin the conversation on ensuring that the regulatory environment is flexible and responsive to the growing range of distributed energy resources being developed in the market place and on the role of the local distribution company in enabling, integrating and orchestrating these important contributions to the electricity system.”

Image source: The Power to Connect. Read the full report online: https://secure2.eda-on.ca/imis15/EDA/Info_Centre/Utility_Innovation/EDA/Info_Centre/Celebrating_Utility_Innovation.aspx.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    July 14, 2025 The rules for the installation of panelboards, circuits, and bonding in Patient Care Area depends on whether the area is designated as either, Basic Care, Intermediate Care or Critical Care. How are these areas defined? Read more on Section 24 — Health care areas Read More…

  • Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    July 14, 2025 In May, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $1.4 billion (+12.0%) to reach $13.1 billion. The increase in construction intentions was driven by Ontario’s institutional component (+$1.3 billion). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in May increased 11.8% from the previous month and was… Read More…

  • Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    July 14, 2025 Plan Group is proud to be a partner in the construction of the UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital. Plan Group will provide work on the project in: Mechanical: Plumbing, HVAC, Controls, Medical GasElectrical: Lighting & Controls, Power Distribution, Emergency Generators, UPSTechnology: Structured Cabling, AV Systems including Digital Signage and IPTV UHN’s 15-storey Surgical… Read More…

  • How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    July 14, 2025 The Canadian economy is shifting towards low-carbon industries, and the workforce is shifting with it. New roles are emerging, traditional ones are evolving and the demand for skilled workers is growing fast — particularly in light of the ambitious nation-building agenda the federal government has set out. In the federal Speech from… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    July 16, 2025 Luxxbox announces the launch of its new Quick Ship Program, designed to provide architects, designers, and project managers in the United States and Canada with expedited access to a curated selection of their most in-demand acoustic lighting products. With a two-week turnaround from order to dispatch, the program ensures that project timelines… Read More…

  • ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    July 16, 2025 Electrical Cable Supply (ECS), Canada’s largest independently owned wire and cable distributors, is proud to announce its re-certification with the prestigious Platinum designation in Deloitte’s Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement recognizes ECS’s sustained excellence in strategy, innovation, culture, and strong financial performance. The Canada’s Best… Read More…

  • Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    July 16, 2025 Nexans has announced its partnership with Skills Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies. As part of the partnership, Nexans will sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026 as they prepare to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. “At Nexans,… Read More…

  • OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    July 14, 2025 With renewed funding by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, the OEL Apprentice Success Project is now available for another year until March 2026. The project is part of OEL’s Employer Engagement Program (EEP) consisting of wage, training, and equipment subsidies for apprentices. These funding opportunities are available to OEL Members and non-Members. For… Read More…