Canada Invests in Smart Grid Technology for Ottawa Net-Zero Energy Communities 

News release

Energy efficiency helps families save money, makes businesses more competitive and creates a cleaner environment for future generations. That’s why Canada is investing in technology to make our electrical systems more efficient and prepare us for a clean energy future.

Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable David McGuinty, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced a $5 million investment to Hydro Ottawa for Phase 2 of a smart grid project at a community housing complex in Ottawa.

The MiGen Transactive Grid project gives consumers and businesses the opportunity to shape the future of the electricity grid by establishing microgrids, which allow customers to generate their own power. Solar panels and a state-of-the-art battery storage system are installed on the buildings and a smart inverter converts the sun's energy into electricity. Unused electricity can be stored to protect against outages, shared with connected neighbours or sent back to the grid.  

Funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Grid Program, which allows utilities to reduce pollution and optimize electricity use while encouraging innovation. The program is part of the Government of Canada’s more than $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

Canada is committed to a clean energy future that guarantees good middle-class jobs and a strong economy and ensures that our country remains a destination of choice for international investment. This builds on the Generation Energy Council Report submitted to the Government of Canada. The report proposed principles on how to build our energy future in a way that ensures the economy and environment go hand in hand.

Quotes

“Today’s investment in innovative technology will help families in Ottawa save money and reduce pollution. Our government will continue to support clean energy initiatives that create jobs, support investment and industry competitiveness, and help us realize our global climate change goals."

David McGuinty,
Member of Parliament for Ottawa South

“Thanks to our partners and funding from National Resources Canada, we are bringing the electricity grid into the 21st century with MiGen Transactive Grid. By working together with academia, business, and government, we are making it easier for everyone to generate, use, store and sell clean energy.”

Bryce Conrad
President and CEO, Hydro Ottawa

“OCHC is a forward-thinking landlord that aims to build sustainable communities for future generations. Partnerships such as this one with Hydro Ottawa and Natural Resources Canada provide us with the opportunity to better leverage our resources to accomplish that goal and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Stéphane Giguère
CEO Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

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Contacts

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca

Vanessa Adams
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
343-543-7645
Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca

Daniel Séguin
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
613-738-5499 ext . 2345
danielseguin@hydroottawa.com

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)

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