March, 2012 Edition

Other Top Trends

In this issue of GridWatch, we lead off with a round-up of the much anticipated FIT review, the results of which were released just days ago.  The Province of Ontario’s statement reports taking immediate steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of renewable energy while creating more jobs, lowering prices and giving communities a greater say. Rates for solar projects are reduced by more than 20 per cent and wind projects by approximately 15 per cent.  Reviews are mixed, with criticism on the lower FIT rates off-set by an appreciation of  greater stability.   There’s a definite ’show me the money attitude’ when it comes to calls for improvements to processing times for applications.  Majority of negatives centre on the electricity surplus, therefore, interesting to catch up with the latest from Bruce Nuclear where a decommissioned reactor will soon come back on line.

Just days prior the The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) released a report entitled “Wind and the Electrical Grid: Mitigating the Rise in Electricity Rates and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”  The report expresses concern that the present electrical grid is not well equipped to integrate a large, rapid increase in intermittent renewable generation. Without policy changes, Ontario will see a significant rise in both electricity rates and greenhouse gas emissions.

Also very telling is the former Home Depot chief’s decision to make her green energy leadership play in the storage arena.

GridWatch rounds out coverage with broad-based updates including green sector stock performance, and several significant announcements include Watchdog Gord Miller’s scorecard of Ontario’s climate change strategy.

FIT Review

Ontario’s Power Trip: Not a FIT review
Financial Post
To the Minister`s doubtless embarrassment, a submission Wednesday to the Ontario Energy Board by Aegent Energy Advisors reveals what the review report does not. The Aegent report, produced on behalf of five parties, including diverse groups such as the …

Moving Clean Energy Forward, Creating Jobs
Ontario is moving ahead with its clean energy program, taking immediate steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of renewable energy while creating more jobs, lowering prices and giving communities a greater say

Terence Corcoran: FIT fix more like a refuel
National Post
… developers — known as feed in tariffs (FIT ) — will be cut by 20% for solar, to between … industry seems to care about the cuts in FIT prices. A lineup of rent-seeking executives and … green energy program, reported that the FIT program has led to 2,000 projects …

Ontario renewable energy prices slashed
Toronto Star
Business Reporter A new, lower price schedule for renewable energy in Ontario may stall some proposed wind power projects, says an industry group. But most cheered the new rules and prices for green power unveiled Thursday, which will give …

Liberals still cleaning up Smitherman’s mess
Toronto Sun
The Green Energy Act (GEA) was Smitherman’s baby. It offered ludicrously high prices to producers of wind and solar power and guaranteed that high-priced alternatives would be sold into the grid before cheaper traditional energy from Niagara Falls and …

Grits’ Green energy plan gets overhaul
Ottawa Citizen
Punished in last fall’s election, Ontario’s minority Liberal government responded to a groundswell of rural discontent over its green energy program Thursday by announcing changes that will allow …

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) supports Province’s new Feed-in …
InvestorIdeas.com
The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program update announced today is a positive and natural progression of the FIT program and a victory for communities, First Nations and progressive …

Ontario cuts green power rates, commits to targets
Reuters
Following a review of its ambitious clean-energy program, Canada’s most populous province said it will cut the rates it pays for power from new solar projects by more than 20 percent and wind rates by about 15 percent, reflecting lower prices for …

Lower rates still work
Kingston Whig Standard
Lowering the rate at which the province buys electricity from solar and wind projects may spur the development of other types of alternative energy, says a Queen’s University energy researcher.

CanWEA Pleased with the Ontario Government’s Commitment to Accelerate the …
Canada NewsWire
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is pleased that the Ontario Government’s review of the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program has made a commitment to procure all the energy required to meet its aggressive renewable …

Green energy rate changes a ‘natural progression’ says association
BetterFarming.com
This renewed commitment will further strengthen Ontario’s leadership role in renewable energy,” Stevens said in a release following the announcement. The ministry, through the Ontario Power Authority, under the microFIT program, had been paying 64.2 …

Ontario Power Authority to reduce prices it will pay for renewable energy
Platts
The Ontario Power Authority will lower the prices it will pay for solar and wind generation the province’s feed-in tariff program, citing a drop in costs, Ontario’s Ministry of Energy said Thursday. Average solar tariffs will fall by about 20% under …

Solar Co-op Applauds McGuinty Governments’ Province’s Commitment to Clean …
Marketwire
AGRIS Solar, a 700-member, Southwestern Ontario-based solar co- operative is applauding Minister of Energy Chris Bentley’s leadership and support for solar energy, following the government’s FIT program

The shocking truth
National Post
… expansion of ultra-expensive wind and solar is actually underway. On the current pace, wind power will produce an amount of electricity equivalent to more than 12% of demand in 2015 and more than 14% in 2017. Solar development is also far ahead of the LTEP …

Municipalities can’t reject wind turbines
London Free Press
Municipalities can get green energy projects faster if they want them but still can’t say no if they don’t under new Feed-In-Tariff program rules, Energy Minister Chris Bentley announced Thursday. “We’ve listened very carefully …

Municipalities can’t reject green energy projects under FIT
Toronto Sun
Municipalities can get green energy projects faster if they want them but still can’t say no if they don’t under new Feed-In-Tariff program rules, Energy Minister Chris Bentley announced Thursday.

More Top Trends

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Urges Action on Wind …
‎Canada NewsWire
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) today released a report entitled “Wind and the Electrical Grid: …

CK will raise turbine concerns – but won’t walk out
Chatham Daily News
Chatham-Kent will raise its concerns over the Green Energy Act, but won’t walk out of an upcoming conference, says a municipal councillor. Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy will be the lone council representative to attend the Ontario Good .

Wind energy town hall meeting draws hundreds
Stratford Gazette
Although Fedeli sits as the PC energy critic, he said his goal was to present an unbiased opinion of wind turbines and the Green Energy Act. “These are not numbers that anyone else has provided, these are not numbers that are made up,” Fedeli said.

Wind turbine health study starting up
‎Owen Sound Sun Times
It’s one of the first steps in a five-year, $1.5-million study being conducted by the Ontario Research Chair in Renewable Energy Technology and Health, …

Solar

CanSIA welcomes new president
CanSia Media Release
The Canadian Solar Industries Association is pleased to announce that John A. Gorman has been named President, effective March 26.

Green Energy Stock Values

Green energy’s deadly doldrums
Globe and Mail
In late 2007 and early 2008, the global renewable energy sector seemed on the cusp of a golden age, as investors pushed the price of big, multinational players in the green-tech space to record highs. Four years later most of those large companies …

Smart Grid

Ontario budget: Finance Minister Dwight Duncan to scrap billions in infrastructure spending in March 27 budget
Toronto Star
Ontario will cancel or delay billions of dollars in planned infrastructure spending in the March 27 budget to save “hundreds of millions in interest costs,” says Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.

Consortium plans Smart Grid Generator Projet
Sault Star
It will centre on establishing a Smart Grid Generator Project in the city. The “generator” would ultimately monitor and improve how green energy is used and managed on the grid through the collection of various information.

Barrie, Ontario to Save Millions with Investment in Sensus Smart Grid for …
SunHerald.com
“Sensus is a strong partner for Barrie, not only because of our proven success with hundreds of smart grid deployments across the electric, gas and water industries, but because our communications technology provides a guaranteed, clear-channel …

Supply Mix

Manpower issues could dim bright future
National Post

… electricity industry will generate a little more than 39,000 megawatts in new capacity over the next 20 years, with large hydro the source for a third of the capacity. Wind will emerge as the second-biggest source of new electricity generation, making

Energy Benefit

McGuinty: Clean Energy Benefit won’t be scrapped
Toronto Sun
Ontarians will not lose their 10% break on hydro bills, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Thursday. Economist Don Drummond had recommended the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit be scrapped as quickly as possible to save the …

No early end to 10 per cent rebates on electricity bills: McGuinty
Global Toronto
Transmission lines that run from the Bruce nuclear power plant on Lake Huron to Milton, Ont., are seen just north of Hanover, Ont. Ontario’s cash-strapped government will not follow a recommendation from

Ontario hydro rate rebate won’t be cut
CBC.ca
Electricity ratepayers in Ontario will not lose the 10 per cent rebates the Liberal government introduced to offset soaring hydro bills, according to the premier. One of the recommendations from economist Don Drummond to help the province get out of …

McGuinty says no early end to electricity bill rebates
Hamilton Spectator
Ontario’s cash-strapped government will not follow a recommendation to save $1.1 billion a year by eliminating the 10 per cent rebates on electricity bills earlier than planned, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Thursday. The Liberals introduced the …

Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro at work: New Station Transformer
Canada NewsWire (press release)
Toronto Hydro crews prepare a 30000 kilogram transformer to be lifted into Centennial D’Arcy Magee Station in the City’s east end. The new transformer is replacing one that was installed in 1969. It will be put into service after Toronto Hydro fully …

Lease out Toronto Hydro ’s assets
National Post
… opponent yet in his plan to sell a share of Toronto Hydro : provincial taxes. Further, Toronto Hydro has started a public war with its regulator … Energy Board, after the OEB rejected Toronto Hydro ’s application to pay for planned investment …

Safety

Hydro Ottawa Reports Electrical Accident
Marketwire
A contractor retained by Hydro Ottawa made unintentional contact with Hydro Ottawa overhead equipment. At approximately 3:08 pm today, Hydro Ottawa learned of an accident involving three employees of Greely Construction, a firm retained by Hydro Ottawa …

Stray voltage issue on radar
Chatham Daily News
Two years ago the Ontario Energy Board announced amendments to the distribution system code in relation to farm stray voltage. The amendments ensure that electricity to farm customers is of a quality that does not unduly impact the health and safety of …

BC Hydro is saying goodbye to many of its copper wires
News1130
So BC Hydro and Telus are making changes to prevent that. Hydro is planning to eventually replace all copper grounding cables with a mulitmetal which isn’t so valuable for thieves. In fact, it’s worth nothing to scrap dealers.

Nuclear

Federal review of new reactors neglects Ontarians’ health and financial safety
Nuclear power too costly, Ontario Clean Air Alliance argues
Toronto Star
“Pursuant to the National Energy Board Act, Hydro Quebec must give Ontario an opportunity to purchase electricity on terms and conditions as favorable as its export sale,” it says. Ontario, which now gets only 1.8 per cent of its power from Quebec, …

Nervous about nuclear, post-tsunami Japan looks to Canada for energy
Globe and Mail
The nuclear-plant meltdown caused by the disaster has Japan rethinking nuclear energy, and that makes the country more keenly interested in Western Canadian pipelines that might one day bring natural gas to be shipped overseas to Asia.

Hydro Costs

Billions in new power lines and hundreds in monthly bills – the …
‎Globe and Mail
A Hydro-Québec study showed Calgary and Edmonton had Canada’s highest average residential power rates in 2011. Preparing for an election, Ms. Redford has …

Are smart meters to blame for ballooning hydro bills?
‎CTV.ca
CTV News has been flooded with hundreds of emails claiming smart meters are to blame for ballooning hydro bills, but some number crunching may reveal a …

Energy: Ontario overpaying to meet peak electricity demand, consultant argues
Toronto Star
Electricity system equipped to meet rare periods of high demand and its costing Ontario $1.5 billion a year, a report says

Canada to face labour crunch as new power projects soar, study finds
National Post
Canada is forecast to spend $347.5-billion providing new electricity capacity from 2011 to 2030, according to a new study, but the demands of the infrastructure outlay will exert acute pressure on an already tight labour market.

ICBC, BC Hydro customers paying taxes in disguise to the province
The Province
‎These taxes in disguise will see the government plunder ICBC and BC Hydro of more than $2 billion in revenue from British Columbians’ insurance premiums and …

Redford launches probe into Alberta’s variable electricity rates
‎Calgary Herald
Premier Alison Redford has announced the creation of an independent panel to scrutinize the province’svariable electricity rates, adding she’s …

Enercom

Don Drummond among keynote speakers at ENERCOM 2012
‎DigitalJournal.com
The MEARIE Group is the service provider of choice to the Ontario electricity industry. The company leverages an intimate knowledge of the industry to …

EVs

Just as the name has it — Canada Lithium will be Canada’s sole …
‎National Post
Not only had CanadaLithium managed to keep Quebec Lithium — located 60 kilometres … When you combine the competitive advantage of Quebec with cheap hydro …

Clenergen to Partner With Niskibi Power Corporation to Supply Up …

Smart Grid Funding

Burlington Electric Department Proceeds with Siemens as a Partner for Its ARRA …
MarketWatch
BED and several other Vermont utilities worked together with the state of Vermont to secure Smart Grid Investment Grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grant allowed BED to jump start its Smart Grid plans.

Number of Installed Prepaid Electricity Meters Will Surpass 33 …
‎MarketWatch
Although only a handful of jurisdictions in the United States support prepaid electricity programs today,

International

Germany plans to cut solar subsidies faster than expected
The Globe and Mail
Incentive cuts of up to 30 per cent as of March 9 designed to slow rapid growth of alternative power source, shares in producers plunge

Germany’s $270 Billion Renewables Shift Biggest Since War
Bloomberg
“The energy transformation is the biggest modernization and infrastructure project in the coming decade,” Roettgen said in a televised speech on March 11. “Whether other countries follow our model will depend on whether we succeed.

Germany, Denmark’s Renewable Energy Transition Empowering Offshore Wind
CleanTechnica
Activity in Europe’s offshore wind sector continues to increase, as European government and industry continue to follow through on plans to make the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Offshore wind installations are a big part of …

Obama’s emphasis on alternative energy comes with political risks amid calls …
Fox News
The gap between President Obama and many Republicans over energy policy approaches Grand Canyon dimensions. President Obama makes no secret of his views, referring to oil as “yesterday’s” energy and making clear his goal is to wean us off fossil fuels …

Irish eco-targets still blowing in the wind
Irish Independent
And Ireland will be the last country in the EU to introduce elevated prices for renewables such as Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT). This is despite the fact that the introduction of sensible policies would tick so many boxes in terms of …

Obama Calls For Focus On Renewable Energy
RTT News
President Barack Obama Thursday called on the country to refocus the nation’s energy production on renewable sources. Speaking in Florida, Obama said that this year’s rising gasoline prices highlight the need to move to more renewable …

First Non-Degree Renewable Energy Program in North America
‎Solar Novus Today
The North Carolina Solar Centre is launching the Certificate in Renewable Energy Management (CREM) in March 2012 and is offering its Renewable Energy …

Innovation

Spain solar power station works at night
Times LIVE
A woman walks at the new solar power plant Gemasolar in Fuentes de Andalucia, southern Spain. A unique thermosolar power station in southern Spain can shrug off cloudy days: energy stored when the sun shines lets it produce electricity even during the …

Authenticated electricity: Sony power outlets will charge you for charging
Ars Technica
But the technology will have many important uses, Sony says, from managing payments for recharging electrical vehicles to avoiding blackouts by intelligently regulating the use of power. Announced by Sony last month, and demonstrated today in a video …

NYC has solar, wind power plans for old dump site
‎CanadianBusiness.com
A New York City site once known for the size of its garbage heaps would be home to alternative energy sources that …

Nelson Unveils Innovative Energy Retrofit Program for Homeowners
‎The Nelson Daily
It is on your hydro bill so we have a mechanism to ensure we can recover the loan. … She says Nelson is leading the way in Canada.

Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards Winners: Innovation
‎RenewableEnergyWorld.com
The nominations have been reviewed; the editors votes are in and we are now pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards. Over the next three days, …

Smart Meters

Hydro-Québec customers can opt out of smart meters
Montreal Gazette
Hydro-Québec has modified its proposal for the planned rollout of smart meters to allow for an opt-out clause. Customers who decide to not use a smart meter for health or other concerns would pay an extra $200 a year under a proposal filed Thursday …

NorthGrid Solar Constructing 701kW FIT Rooftop Solar Project with Elevated Truss
Canada NewsWire
… an Ontario-based Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, is pleased to announce the construction of a 701kW rooftop solar project, part of the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed In Tariff (FIT) Program and located at The Metropolitan …

Other

NextEra Energy Resources Completes Acquisition of Ontario Solar …
‎Financial Post
… (PV) projects totaling 40 megawatts (AC) in Ontario, Canada from First Solar. … contracts under its Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP).

Verschuren Joins New Venture to Commercialize Energy Storage
MarketWatch
One of Canada’s top entrepreneurs, Annette Verschuren is teaming up with Toronto-based Northwater Capital in a venture that will commercialize Energy Storage technologies.
Ontario NDP stymied in bid to find out power plant cancellation costs
‎Toronto Star
Ontario taxpayers remain in the dark about how much it cost the Liberal government to cancel two electricity plants …

OPG reports lower profit
Toronto Star
Ontario Power Generation reported lower profit in 2011 as electricity prices and returns on its nuclear funds declined

PowerStream Invests in Environmental Education at York University
Marketwire
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and PowerStream Board Chair and Town of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti today announced a significant investment towards sustainable energy …
Energy efficiency device remains in limbo
‎Toronto Star

The energy savings pay back the investment within five years, he says. The problem, however, is that they’re not recognized in the Ontario government’s …

Linamar receives $843868 from Guelph Hydro
Guelph Mercury
Boccalon Giorgio Boccalon, key accounts manager at Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. speaks to a crowd of local large business owners at the Energy Management Technical Symposium at the Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Manufacturing Excellence on Wednesday.

OEB

March 15, 2012 – The Board has made changes (Notice of Amendment) to the Unit Sub-Metering Code to provide additional consumer protection. These changes are effective March 15, 2013…

March 19, 2012 – The Board has issued final amendments to the Electricity Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) related to customer service rules. The amendments will come into force on January 1, 2013…

IESO

Two Clarifications Made to Meteorological Data Submission Requirements

Celebrating 100 Years of EDA Accomplishments

IESO Reaches Centralized Forecasting Milestone

Comments Welcome on Preliminary Release Plan 27.1 for Changes to IESO Systems