Canada is investing in smart grid technology for a net-zero energy community in London, Ontario.
 
The government of Canada says it is committed to building a clean energy future to strengthen the economy, create good jobs and support the natural resource sectors. This will be more important as it reopens the economy and plan recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.
 
Parliamentary secretary Kate Young and member of parliament for London West announced the $5.1m investment in London Hydro to develop and deploy a smart microgrid in the West 5 net-zero energy community in London, Ontario.
 
“The government is proud to support local smart grid projects like the West 5 smart grid project,” said Young. “Strong partnerships and innovative ideas like these at the community level will lead to a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.”
 
This funding will help the community achieve its net-zero targets. Local partners are also contributing to this project, including S2e Technologies, Sifton Properties and Western University, for a combined investment of nearly $11m.
 
Building on federal government commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, this investment supports the design and development of Canada’s first large-scale, integrated, net-zero energy community. The microgrid will integrate monitoring, data management and communications, electric vehicle infrastructure, distributed energy resource management, solar power generation, and batteries to reduce grid use.
 
Smart grid projects help create smarter and greener communities while saving citizens money and reducing pollution. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that net-zero energy is feasible at the community level, which should promote sustainable development and inspire widespread change across Canada’s construction industry.
 
Funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s smart grid programme, which allows utilities to reduce pollution and optimise electricity use while encouraging innovation. The programme is part of the government of Canada’s more than $180bn Investing in Canada Plan to create long-term economic growth; support a low-carbon, green economy; and build inclusive communities.
 
This announcement is in line with the plan developed following Canada’s national energy dialogue, Generation Energy. Canadians made it clear that clean energy is not a luxury but a necessity for Canada’s low-carbon future. Canada will continue to support clean energy projects that create jobs, support investment and industry competitiveness, advance a clean future, and help realise global climate change goals.
 
“With MP Kate Young’s leadership, London is becoming a hub for clean technology,” said Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s minister of natural resources. “This smart grid project will allow the West 5 community to use renewable energy and battery storage to become a net-zero producer of emissions, creating a cleaner atmosphere and making life more affordable for families.”
 
Vinay Sharma, CEO of London Hydro, added: “The West 5 development will not only provide us with a sustainable approach to develop future communities, but I believe that in the process it will also help us establish new guidelines, new requirements and new policies, which will pave the way for expanded development of such net-zero communities. This is an important step in our journey for achieving a greener community.”