Accelerating the Uptake of Distributed Energy Resources in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia

Lead Proponent

Simon Fraser University

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to accelerate the adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) by identifying regulatory and market barriers and developing data-driven solutions through national and provincial research and stakeholder engagement to inform policy, planning, investment decisions, and scalable DER integration across Canada.

Expected Results

This project aims to:

1. Improve affordability, access, and participation in the evolving energy landscape.
2. Identify adoption barriers, such as upfront investment costs and renter limitations, and propose targeted regulatory and policy solutions to broaden access to DER benefits across Canada.
3. Address demographic and financial barriers to DER adoption, enabling more households to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, more affordable, and resilient energy system.
4. Develop a national DER integration baseline, supported by adaptable methodologies and jurisdictional insights that enhance regulatory innovation.
5. Leverage British Columbia and Ontario study findings to facilitate evidence-based decisions, enhance institutional coordination, and inform infrastructure investment.
6. Focus on regulatory modernization and market flexibility to apply lessons learned toward a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable energy system across jurisdictions.