GridSmartCity™ defines a future direction that is essential for Burlington Hydro Inc., and the industry as a whole, to meet the needs of tomorrow’s customers.  It creates dynamic opportunities for partnerships involving industry, academia, government and utilities to co-innovate on renewable energy systems.  For business, institutions and individuals alike, it serves as a key enabler for a conservation culture.  Renewable energy is key to ensure an abundant supply of electricity and to protect the environment for future generations.

Over time, the new Green Energy Act will introduce opportunities and requirements for utilities to offer their customers exciting new options for electricity generated from renewable sources such as the wind, sun and geothermal.

GridSmartCity dovetails directly with the Green Energy Act which, through the Ontario Energy Board, will regulate utilities’ investments in renewable and Smart Grid related improvements.

Joined by our eight founding partners, Burlington Hydro has created GridSmartCity to serve as an innovative vehicle to simultaneously explore important Smart Grid elements and the interactions among them.  Some of these initiatives will be exploratory, some will involve  the actual introduction and implementation of new technology enablers, and others, will be largely research based including the careful review of the outcomes of demonstration projects by other utilities.  GridSmartCity initiatives will allow Burlington Hydro and partners to make meaningful contributions in the development of a detailed understanding of the Smart Grid, acquiring vital community and regulatory input in the process.  It also forms the mantra over further expansion of Burlington Hydro’s award winning switching automation deployment.

The timing and protocols for GridSmartCity initiatives will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Ontario Energy Board.