Photo credit: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the Ontario Energy Board's new objects, as consequence of the passage
of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 (GEA), is to facilitate the implementation of the smart grid in Ontario. While a broad definition of the smart grid is provided in the GEA, the Minister has now issued, on November 23, 2010 a detailed Directive to the Board on this matter. The Directive requires the Board to provide guidance to licensed electricity transmitters and distributors and other regulated entities that propose to undertake smart grid activities.  Copy of the directive can be downloaded here (PDF document).

The OEB established a Smart Grid Working Group (SGWG) to provide advice to Board staff on the technical aspects in respect of the implementation of smart grid. The advice from the SGWG will assist with the preparation of a Board staff discussion paper. That paper will form the basis for broader consultation regarding the development of the Board's smart grid guidance and the appropriate regulatory requirements. Following the issuance of the Board staff discussion paper, all stakeholders would be provided with the opportunity to comment. The results of that consultation would provide the basis for the Board issuing the guidance and the appropriate regulatory documents. Marion Fraser is representing OSEA on this working group.

At the last meeting, Board staff posed a number of questions with respect to renewable energy.  We would appreciate your feedback on issues you have had with respect to any licensed electricity transmitters and distributors and other regulated entities, which could be addressed in any of the Board's Codes or other requirements and set of directions for these agencies.

At the last meeting, Board staff posed a number of questions with respect to renewable energy.  I would appreciate your feedback on issues you have had with respect to any licensed electricity transmitters and distributors and other regulated entities, which could be addressed in any of the Board's Codes or other requirements and set of directions for these agencies. Please send any information to genevieve@ontario-sea.org as soon as possible, so that we can assemble and make available to the Board Staff.

The Questions are as follows:

Questions are as follows:

1. How can efficiency be ensured in giving customers access to renewable generation?
2. What are the specific value drivers that residential, commercial, and industrial customers get from participating in renewable generation?
3. What standard guidelines could be provided to LDCs to facilitate participation in renewable generation to aid in coordination?
4. What should be provided to LDCs to facilitate participation in renewable generation to aid in interoperability among customers/LDCs?
5. What type/level of access to data is necessary to allow LDCs, agencies, etc. to achieve the benefits of smart grid? For example, utility use of consumption data to support active transformer load monitoring.

Genevieve Light, Executive Assistant, OSEA, will make your responses available to Board Staff.  If you wish, your submission can remain anonymous to her, to the Board Staff or both.

Please send any information to genevieve@ontario-sea.org as soon as possible, so that we can assemble and make it available to the Board Staff.