ARCHIVED - Smart Grid: PowerStream Projects

This video explains what the smart grid is and presents two projects part of the development of PowerStream’s smart grid, an Ontario based utility. The first project is the Fault Detection, Isolation and Restoration System and the second one is the Outage Management System.

Natural Resources Canada collaborated on the development of this video by the Ontario Ministry of Energy. This project falls within the framework of the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN), which aims to accelerate smart grid development and deployment.

To learn more about the PowerStream's Fault Detection, Isolation and Restoration System, see the PowerStream Self-healing Grid Case Study.

To learn more about CanmetENERGY’s activities related to the smart grid development, visit the Smart Grid section of the website.

Transcript

Narrator:

The future of energy in Ontario is here. An important part of Ontario’s energy future is the smart grid that needs a modern energy system to support clean energy, and deliver it reliably and efficiently. The smart grid is part of Ontario’s energy future. We’re not just talking about it – we’re building one of North America’s most intelligent, fast-adapting electrical grids to safely manage the 2-way flow of electricity, enhancing energy conservation and monitoring power quality and demand every step of the way.

John Mulrooney, Director of Smart Grid Technologies, PowerStream

The electricity industry throughout the world is undergoing a renaissance. Ontario has been a leader since 2006 when it decided to have every home in the province fitted with smart meters. The smart meter provides a 2-way communication gateway into the home whereby local distribution companies in Ontario are able to communicate with devices in the home to control energy. The customer will be able to see what the cost of electricity consumption is any time during the day and will be able to plan their activities and use of that electricity accordingly.

Narrator

Ontario’s smart grid will improve power system flexibility and capabilities, offering greater customer control, and laying the foundation for innovative new products, services and technologies.

John McClean, VP Operations, PowerStream

Survalent is a Mississauga-based company that provides our SCADA system (which is an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). So it’s the main application that allows us to control all of our substations, all of our automated devices, and basically manage the power system here from the control room.

When outages do occur, with the Outage Management System the smart meters all have the ability to report that they’re out of power. That’s known as the last gasp feature. When they’re out of power, they report that they’re out of power. That lands in our Outage Management System, and provides the system controller with a very detailed overview of the area that is affected. That way our line crews don’t have to patrol. We can send them right to the area that is impacted, saving time, and getting the power back on that much quicker.

John Mulrooney, Director of Smart Grid Technologies, PowerStream

These are technologies that will bring with it job creation. This is all about integrating electricity sources with consumption for the overall benefit of the province and the customers.

Narrator

By 2014, the annual global market potential for smart grid equipment manufacturers and solutions providers will be roughly $15-31 billion. It’s estimated Ontario utilities are investing $390 million annually on smart grid projects.

John McClean, VP Operations, PowerStream

Well in Ontario, the high-tech communications that we’ve coupled with our distribution network makes our system more reliable. That makes Ontario more appealing to business. It gives our consumers more choice in terms of pricing, and allows the utility to be more efficient as well.

Narrator

Ontario’s population is growing. In less than 25 years, the province will be home to 4.5 million more people than it is today.

John Mulrooney, Director of Smart Grid Technologies, PowerStream

When it comes to smart grid technology, Ontario is a pioneer. Smart grid will enable Ontario consumers of electricity to be much more efficient in the future, and by doing so in the way that smart grid is approaching it, it will accommodate renewables, which has a positive effect on the environment. It will reduce greenhouse gases, clean our environment; make Ontario a much stronger economic entity throughout the world. We’re at the forefront of leading new technology which is clean, modern, reliable and works to the benefit of the customer. It’s happening now, and it’s here in Ontario.