The federal government this month announced financial support for four Alberta projects that aim to enhance grid reliability and resiliency within the province.
Canada stated that investing in the future of energy is “the greatest commercial opportunity of our time.”
The administration unveiled nearly $3 million in funding through the Energy Innovation Program’s Smart Grids Regulatory Innovation Capacity Building Call for Proposals.
“The Government of Canada is helping provinces like Alberta build reliable electricity grids that provide enough power to meet Canadians’ energy needs for prices they can afford, today and tomorrow,” remarked federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson.
This includes $1.5 million earmarked for ENMAX Energy Corporation to “to explore innovative approaches to help modernize Alberta’s grid,” as well as over $500K so that EPCOR Distribution & Transmission can study the feasibility of different advanced-rate structures and how they can help guide lower electricity costs.
“Through the feasibility study, we are working to better understand if advanced, customer‑focused rate options have the potential to reduce peak demand and make better use of the grid we already have,” explains Kirstine Hull, who functions as Senior Vice President of Electricity Service for EPCOR.
“We need to modernize responsibly so customers have clearer information, more choice and more control over their electricity bills,” said Hull.
Another $500K is going to the Transition Accelerator, which will enable the deployment of thermal energy networks that can leverage multiple local clean heat sources while lowering costs to consumers and reducing peak electricity demand.
“The technologies that strengthen the grid and lower system costs are the same ones that reduce emissions,” suggests Moe Kabbara, chief executive officer of Transition Accelerator.
And $250,000 is earmarked for the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance to support the development of a regulatory framework for demand-side management in the province to help consumers make better use of smart grid technology.
“Demand-side management is a proven tool for enhancing the affordability, reliability, and sustainability of electricity systems,” believes Jesse Row, who serves as the Executive Director of the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance.
The Energy Innovation Program, which advances clean energy technologies, is the Office of Energy Research and Development’s flagship funding program.
“Canada’s climate competitiveness will define our place on the global stage and strengthen our industries, here in Alberta and across the country,” posits Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
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