Burlington Hydro has attracted global calibre financial, technical and retail partners to participate in its Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration. Partners include:

Industry Partners:

• Pioneer Petroleums will install and operate a recharging station at its Burlington location at 4499 Mainway, forming a key component of the demonstration project. Pioneer Petroleums is a dynamic, Canadian-owned network of independent gasoline retail locations. Innovation is key to Pioneer’s “Energy for Life” philosophy. Its involvement in GridSmartCityTM exemplifies its commitment to renewable energy innovation, and its mandate to constantly search for innovative ways to enhance its customers’ retail experience and to differentiate its business in the marketplace. Headquartered in Burlington, Pioneer Petroleums is Canada’s eighth largest fuel retailer by volume.
• Eaton Corporation has selected the Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project and GridSmartCityTM as the premier implementation of its new electric vehicle charging station. This global first implementation of Eaton’s PHEV Charging technology will utilize the company’s broad-based expertise in power management. Eaton will also provide electrical infrastructure and systems support. Eaton Corporation is a global power management leader and an innovator in the renewable energy, Smart Grid, electrical, automotive and green building sectors. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. Eaton Electrical’s Canadian head office is located in Burlington.
• Elster Canada will assist with an extended application of its existing EnergyAxis system at Burlington Hydro to facilitate key learning in the interconnection and control of distributed energy sources and charging stations. Elster is a leader in Smart Metering and Smart Grid solutions. It’s Energy Axis (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system forms the backbone of the provincially-mandated Smart Meter deployment. Elster’s Canadian head office is in Ontario.
• Union Gas has led the curve in Ontario with its state-of-the-art distributed generation installations utilizing geothermal. In a distributed generation model local businesses and residents can share in the production of electricity not only to meet their own needs, but to sell excess power back to the grid. The Union Gas regional office in Burlington recently achieved Gold certification from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), due in part to is electricity self-sufficiency.
• S&C Electric is a global provider of equipment and services for electric power systems, and a leader in innovations that optimize electricity reliability. S&C’s Smart Grid Storage Management System captures and stores renewable energy and moves it to the electricity grid when needed.
• Olameter provides services and applications to electric, water, and gas utilities, energy retailers, and energy management entities across North America. Olameter facilitates the offering of new services and the application of new technologies by simplifying the issues surrounding deployment, integration, and capital investment. Olameter solutions serve as a key enabler of smart grid solutions to progressive utilities, such as Burlington Hydro.  As such, Olameter is a significant technology enabler in Ontario’s shift to a smarter grid.
• Cisco has shaped the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors and ecosystem partners and has become the worldwide leader in networking – transforming how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco’s Smart Grid is just one of its solutions changing the global approach to sustainable operations. Smart Grid a holistic, cross-technology solution that enables utilities and other organizations in the energy industry to build secure, standards-based IP networks to efficiently meet the demands of energy generation, distribution, storage, and consumption.
• Moloney Electric Inc. has been a leader in the design and manufacturing of distribution transformers and related products for almost 100 years.  Moloney Electric’s technological innovations and advanced  manufacturing capabilities contribute to its role as as a value-added partner to many of the world’s most respected providers of electrical energy.
• The StressCrete Group, established in 1953, is the oldest, most experienced manufacturer of spun concrete poles in North America.  Under the King Luminaire name, StressCrete also manufacture high-quality decorative outdoor lighting fixtures, fabricated metal poles, arms, and site furnishings.   Stresscrete is a privately owned, vibrant and growing entity that has achieved success in large part, by putting our customers first.  The company’s  focus on developing green technology has enabled us to provide innovative, environmentally friendly products for both the lighting and utility industries.
• WESCO Distribution, Inc. is the operating arm of WESCO International, an industry-leading Fortune 500 distributor of MRO (maintenance, repair, and operating) products, construction products, and advanced integrated supply procurement outsourcing services.  WESCO operates over 350 full-service branches throughout North America and around the world. Major markets served by WESCO include commercial and industrial construction, industrial process and discrete manufacturers, large industrial OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), electric utilities, data communications, and retail/ commercial power and lighting controls.

Government and Industry Association Partners:

• The City of Burlington is the sole shareholder of Burlington Hydro Electric Inc. Burlington Hydro’s demonstrated leadership in Smart Grid modernization contributes to the City of Burlington’s attractiveness as a place to live and work. The Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration will generate helpful insight contributing to the city’s green fleet strategy.
• The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) balances the supply of and demand for electricity in Ontario and then directs its flow across the province’s transmission lines.   It also manages the wholesale electricity market for the province.  Smart grids will make an important contribution in the ongoing management of the provincial power system – enabling renewable generation, empowering greater consumer control and supporting a more efficient power system.  In 2008, the IESO convened the Ontario Smart Grid Forum, whose first report highlighted the need for a co-ordinated and cost-effective approach to the development of a provincial smart grid.
• The Province of Ontario has put in place policies and programs to support the evolution of the Smart Grid in Ontario, including installation of smart meters throughout the province. A key catalyst of the advancement of renewable energy is the province’s dynamic Green Energy and Economy Act. This innovative legislation includes, among its many facets, incentives for businesses, institutions and citizens to generate renewable energy with the guarantee of fixed pricing for 20 years.

Research and Academic Partners:

• The University of Waterloo, through its renowned Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Faculties, is a key research partner in the Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration. The University will develop assessment and management tools to assist with the integration of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV’s) into the electricity grid. Its role is also to perform field tests, monitor the drive cycle, generate battery life-cycle data, manage vehicle and grid performance data, and prepare a final report and recommendations as part of a post graduate student’s thesis.
• McMaster University, recognized globally as a research intensive university – particularly in regards to automotive research –  is taking a major and broad-scoping involvement in the Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration.  The McMaster University researchers will examine several aspects of electric vehicles, especially where the evolution of the smart electricity grid intersects with that of personal transportation and electric vehicles in particular.  Staff, researchers and students at the Faculties of Engineering, Science, the DeGroote School of Business, and possibly other faculties, will be actively engaged with Burlington Hydro and the study partners, in a wide range of projects, including the performance of charging stations and the impact on utility operating systems;  the behaviour of utility customer interaction with electric vehicles; and an examination of broader economic and market dynamics of charging models.

• Transport Canada, providing $25,000 in funding for demonstration project.