The document discusses Ontario's policies to consolidate investment in clean energy, electric vehicles, and smart grid technologies. It aims to diversify risk and increase the likelihood of success by integrating distributed clean electricity generation, electric vehicle infrastructure, and smart grid technologies. This includes small renewable energy plants, electric vehicle chargers, and two-way communication systems to manage electricity demand and supply.
1) Green Energy Act (Green Industry/Jobs), Electric Vehicles (500,000 by 2018) and Smart Grid Initiatives are progressive “game-changers” for the economy and sustainable job creation2) Policy integration of Green Energy Jobs/EV Infrastructure and Smart Grid development requires careful attention to deployment planning and risk management3) The three Policies are related - ONE business model and plan is proposed to diversify risk, minimize costs (CAPEX/OPEX) and increase the likelihood of achieving Ontario’s policy goals within constrained public budgets, earlier than expected4) The proposed Ontario Power Centre is a structure and business platform to deliver these three policy objects by leveraging Electric Vehicle (EV) sales and growth as the Enabling Technology to boost Ontario’s economy – reduce transport oil/gasoline and GHG emissions
Distributed Clean Electricity – or, generically, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), refers to renewable energy and, to lesser extent, cogeneration gas generators located within the distribution or local grid networkSmart Grid includes advanced two-way communication between power generators, distributors and end-users. A Smart Grid would permit more interaction between the local electric utility and customers; the goal is to reduce electricity waste and defer addition of new generation plantsEV Infrastructure is the network of Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charging stations in residential/commercial end-user garages or Charging Centres and publically owned large Power Centres well-located across the province.
The electricity grid was developed in the 1880s and was identified as the greatest engineering invention of the past century (2003 – National Academy of Engineering Science)A more advanced electrical grid system is proposed to reduce or defer the need to invest in very expensive power central power generators.The Video provides a good over-view of the old and Smart Grid
Ontario’s “Independent Electricity System Operator” (IESO) reported in May-2011 that Ontario will spend about $390 Million/yr. for 5 years – 2012-16), to upgrade the GridIssue: existing grid Not designed to accommodate small “intermittent” renewable energy generation – Micro-FiT <10kW generators considered very smallTwo prominent gas “peaker” plants disabled in GTA-Southwest 2010-11 (Oakville, Mississauga)OPA requires additional 300MW reserve power in GTA-Southwest – rejects proposals for 3 CHP (combined, heat and power) plants
Real problem is Critical Peak Power (CPP) that spikes demand for electricity within a short time band during most regular work days
One practicalsolution to managing electricitydemand is to introduce Home and Building “Energy Management Systems”These “behind the meter” systems are linked wirelessly or using existing home/building Power-lines to poll “Smart” appliances and HVAC systemsElectronic chips installed in these appliances and devices would permit demand information – electricity use, and in advanced systems – provide automated controls to power-down or shed the load on non-critical appliances and equipment when the demand for electricity spikes within the network.
The Smart Grid effectively integrates three key goals into a “Virtual Power Plant”Demand Response – end-users deferring electricity demand to reduce electricity costs (dependent on demand/supply and time of use pricing)Energy efficiency using “smart” devices embedded in appliances and equipment that are connected to a Energy management System(Much like most new cars have embedded computers and control systems to optimize motion and reduce energy consumption Let’s look at the video
1) Good news – Participation in electricity conservation programs and technologies – EMS – reduces consumption
EV present a challenge to gridCharging EVsall at once could disrupt electricity grid
1) Controlled EV charging is the solution
Distributed EV Chargers need to be monitored and controlled – including those in residential locationsEV development offers an opportunity to reduce our reliance on imported oil/gasoline, reduce CO2 / GHG emissions and Create much-needed jobs to shore-up Ontario’s leadership in the automotive industry3) Innovative marketing and corporate participation are key success factors to the development of Evs – let’s see what Google is doing at its corporate HQ in California
Ontario Power CentresPublic OwnershipIntegration of Key Policy Initiatives – Smart Grid, EV Infrastructure and Clean Energy Generation