Renewable Energy Microgrid Testing Centre

Canadian Solar

Location

Guelph

Funding given

$2,934,000

Description

A real-world laboratory in Guelph focused in microgrid development the laboratory looks at integrating renewable energy resources at high levels of penetration in both off-grid (remote) and grid tied remote environments.

Status

Project underway.

Collaborators include:

  • University of Waterloo
  • NCC Development LP
  • Kinectrics Inc.
  • Electrovaya Inc.
  • Guelph Hydro Inc.
  • Hydro One Remote Communities Inc.

Microgrid Research and Innovation Park – UOIT

Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada

Location

University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Oshawa

Funding given

$3,829,000

Description

Panasonic is demonstrating the benefits of a ‘grid-tied' microgrid at the University of Ontario Institute of Ontario campus in Oshawa. This microgrid is designed to operate as backup power during a utility power outage and to provide seamless disconnection and reconnection from the main grid. When it is not operating as a backup, the microgrid will be used to save energy and electricity costs for the university.

Status

Project underway.

Collaborators include:

  • General Electric Digital Energy
  • University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • Oshawa Power Utilities Corporation
  • Hydro One

Solantro’s Autonomous Intelligent Nanogrid Solution

Solantro Semiconductor Corp

Location

Ottawa

Funding given

$1,199,565

Description

This project will build and deploy a new, modular nanogrid architecture based on advanced semiconductor technology. The Solantro nanogrid will comprise of photovoltaic (PV) generation, battery storage and load control. It will be capable of both islanded and grid tied operation. The nanogrid will allow customers more choice and has the potential to reduce system cost.

Status

Project underway.

Collaborators include:

  • Hydro Ottawa Limited

Burlington DC Microgrid

ARDA Power

Location

Burlington

Funding given

$290,000

Description

Most microgrid solutions use alternating current (AC), which is the standard for power grids. ARDA Power is turning that convention on its head by building and testing a direct current (DC) microgrid that incorporates a range of clean generation sources and energy storage. This approach is expected to improve efficiency and resiliency, potentially making it more cost-effective than AC microgrids.

Status

Project underway.

Collaborators include:

  • Gildemeister Energy Solutions
  • Etratech
  • Swan Creek Energy
  • Burlington Hydro

Veridian Community Microgrid and Feeder Automation on Distribution Energy Service Platform

Opus One Solutions Inc.

Location

Pickering

Funding given

$1,096,000

Description

Opus One will develop a community residential microgrid with its utility partner Veridian Connections, and property developer Marshall Homes. The microgrid operation will use the GridOS platform to integrate various distributed energy resources (DERs), including Tesla Powerwall storage systems and residential solar generation, in order to improve reliability, resiliency and the efficient use of shared DERs for customers.

Status

Project underway.

Collaborators include:

  • Veridian Connections
  • Marshall Homes