Smart Grid Program
The Call for Proposals under the Smart Grid Component of the Green Infrastructure Phase II Program is now closed.
QUICK REFERENCES
Program Background
The Smart Grid Program is one of Natural Resource Canada’s targeted national programs addressing key infrastructure to advance the goals of the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Up to $100 million is being invested for utility-led projects to reduce GHG emissions, better utilize existing electricity assets and foster innovation and clean jobs for:
- demonstration of smart grid technologies
- deployment of smart grid integrated systems
Why is Canada investing in Smart Grids?
Smart grids modernize the safe and secure delivery of electricity, provide foundations for new market structures and a higher quality of service for customers. They are a key enabler for GHG mitigation as they increase the hosting capacity of renewable generation, leverage more from the electricity infrastructure we have, and increase resiliency.
Benefits of smart grids
Better utilizing existing capacity of electricity assets

Increasing the penetration of renewable generation

Increasing the reliability, resiliency and flexibility of the power system

Maintaining cyber
security

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Creating
jobs

Smart Grid Program Timeline
The smart grid program funds $100M over four years. During the program, recipients report on the deployment and grid impacts of their projects up-to-5 years following project investment. NRCan uses this information for analysis of grid impacts and program lessons to inform future program and policy development.
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Smart Grid program timeline - text version
Timeline from 2018-2028 indicating the program started in 2018-2019. The project implementation and deployment of assets and progress reporting will take place during 2018-2023. The outcome reporting (e.g., grid impacts, benefits, and technology performance) will take place during 2019-2028. NRCan Analysis (e.g., innovation analysis, benefits, and lessons learned) will take place during 2019-2028.
Smart Grid Program Brochure
The Smart Grid Program Overview (PDF, 2 MB) lists projects funded by the Program.
Once implemented, the projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have an impact in reducing the long-term economic impact to the customer.
Supported Projects
Map of projects funded by the Smart Grid Program
Number | Recipient | Project Title | Project Type | System category |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yukon Energy | Residential Demand Response Program (RDRP) | Demonstration | DERMS |
2 | EPCOR | EPCOR Smart Grid System (ESGS) | Deployment | DERMS, Microgrid, Distributed energy storage |
3 | EQUS REA | Canada’s 1st Member-Owned Rural Smart Grid Project | Deployment | DERMS |
4 | ENMAX Power | Integrating Distributed Generation into Secondary Networks in Large Urban Centres | Demonstration | Grid monitoring and automation |
5 | FortisAlberta Inc. | FortisAlberta Waterton Energy Storage Project | Demonstration | Microgrid-connected |
6 | City of Lethbridge | Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) Deployment in Lethbridge Electricity Utility (LEU) Distribution Network | Demonstration | Grid monitoring and automation |
7 | SaskPower | SaskPower Distribution Modernization Program | Deployment | Grid monitoring and automation |
8 | SSM PUC | Sault Smart Grid | Deployment | Grid monitoring and automation |
9 | Entegrus Powerlines Inc. | Conservation Voltage Reduction | Deployment | Grid monitoring and automation |
10 | Bracebridge | Smart, Proactive, Enabled, Energy Distribution; Intelligent, Efficiently, Responsive (SPEEDIER) Project | Hybrid | DERMS |
11 | London Hydro | West 5 Smart Grid Project | Hybrid | DERMS |
12 | Alectra Utilities | Power.House Hybrid: Minimizing GHGs and Maximizing Grid Benefits | Demonstration | DERMS |
13 | Alectra Utilities | GridExchange | Demonstration | DERMS |
14 | Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) | York Region Non-Wires Alternatives Demonstration Project | Demonstration | New markets & rate options (NRO) |
15 | Lakefront Utilities | Digital Utility Platform | Deployment | Grid monitoring and automation |
16 | Hydro-Quebec | Smart Grid Deployment of Off-Grid Networks | Deployment | Microgrid off-grid, grid monitoring, automation and storage off-grid |
17 | Hydro-Quebec | Lac-Megantic Microgrid | Hybrid | Microgrid-connected |
18 | Saint John Energy | Integrated Dispatchable Resource Network for Local Electric Distribution Utility | Hybrid | DERMS |
19 | New Brunswick Power | Collaborative Grid Innovation for Atlantic Smart Energy Communities | Hybrid | DERMS |
20 | Nova Scotia Power | Collaborative Grid Innovation for Atlantic Smart Energy Communities | Hybrid | DERMS |
21 | PEI Energy | Slemon Park Microgrid Project | Deployment | Microgrid, DERMS |
Legend: DERMS– Distributed Energy Resource Management |
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions for the Energy Innovation Program
Integro secured funding portal
Clean Growth Collaboration Community Join Now!
Projects supported by the SmartGrid program can be found on our Current Investments page by selecting ‘Smart Grid and Energy Storage’ under the ‘Technology Area’ pull down menu
Contact us
Email the SG Program nrcan.sg-ri.rncan@canada.ca
Stay connected
Join our electronic mailing list for up-to-date information on our funding calls, and follow us on social media and join the conversation using #SmartGridProgram
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As part of the Invest in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $ 180 billion over 12 years in transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and tourism projects. Canada's rural and northern communities.
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