Message From Smart Grid Working Group - OSEA wants your input

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.

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.

VerdeXchange 2011 Toronto Green Marketmakers Conference

VerdeXchange 2011 Canada Green Marketmakers Conference & Expos is a unique, full spectrum, cross industry sustainability event coming to Torontofor the first time June 5th and 6th, 2011 at the AllstreamCentre in Toronto’s Exhibition Place. VerdeXchange is a Los Angeles based international conference with the mission of building a community of sustainability leaders from across all sectors of the economy including finance, technology (energy, waste, water, transport, buildings), business, infrastructure, industry, and government. As the first international VerdeXchange conference, this event promises to make a major contribution in establishing Ontario as a significant player internationally, and as the recognized green leader in the eastern half of North America.

We are pleased to forward you this email invitation to the VerdeXchange 2011 Canada Conference. Go to www.vxcanada.ca to learn more and to register or register directly by selecting yes below. Register by May 6, 2011 for an early bird discount of $100 off General Admission or $200 off VIP Admission. New speakers and program additions are being added daily, so be sure to check the website for updates.

OSEA members receive discounts. Contact Sonya De Vellis at 416.977.4441 x 5200 or sonya@ontario-sea.org for more information.

Business executives, financial professionals, big accounting and management, technology entrepreneurs, and major industry all have challenges and opportunities in the world of clean and green markets and sustainable operations. VerdeXchange is the event that brings them into a single forum, laying the foundation for growth, the biggest market opportunity the world has seen, and the next economy.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Paul Mertes
Managing Director, VerdeXchange 2011 Canada

When: June 5 & 6, 2011

Solar ONTARIO 2011

Conference & Trade Show
Ceasars Windsor, 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, ON, N9A 7H7
May 5–6, 2011

Cross-Border Solar in Southern Ontario, Manufacturing and Exports

48 Exhibitors Signed Up

This is event will focus on the opportunities for Canada’s growing solar industry in Ontario. This conference is expected to attract at least 250 delegates including:

Keynote Speaker Sandra Pupatello
Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Government of Ontario

Corporate Workshops
DC Power Systems / Solar Depot
HES PV
Siemens
Solar Edge Technologies
SunEdison—3 Workshops

OSEA Board member takes new postion at Centre for Urban Energy

Robert Hellier, Vice-Chair and Director on OSEA's board, has just announced he will be taking a new position as manager for the Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) at Ryeron University, starting May 2nd.

The CUE is an initiative by Ryerson's Faculty of Engineering & Architectural Sciences (FEAS). The CUE will essentially be a major research asset of these organisations, tackling the engineering and interdisciplinary issues that need to be addressed in the province's transition to a low carbon, distributed energy system. OSEA wishes Robert all the best in this exciting new endeavour.

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Green energy innovator awarded for going even greener

OSEA member, Wind Simplicity, an Ontario-based producer of small wind mills has just been recognized for its innovative use of recycled materials. Determined to design the world's greenest wind turbine, Alfred Mathieu PhD and Sharolyn Vettese, the father and daughter who invented the Windancer horizontal axis wind turbine, chose to make the blades out of aluminum, a metal with a cradle-to-cradle lifecycle, which can be recycled over and over without losing its properties. That decision paid off for the company by earning it its sixth award. "Wind Simplicity gets it and gets it right," They are proof positive that you can manufacture a sustainable product - a product that helps sustain both energy and your bottom line," said Robin Wiener, president of the Institute of Recycling Industries, which bestowed the award.

Tides Canada's A New Energy Vision for Canada

OSEA has endorsed the Tides Canada publication A New Energy Vision for Canada.

The document was shared at a key meeting of think tanks and energy companies in Winnipeg. Participants were there to discuss common ground on the potential shape and scope of a national energy strategy. As spelled out in our paper, we believe that any such agreement must set Canada on a path to a low carbon future, while allowing our nation to flourish in the world’s burgeoning new-energy economy.

Tides Canada is still seeking endorsements from a wide variety of Canadian companies, organizations, and local governments. Get in touch with Tides if you or your oganization can help out.

Tom Rand book winners announced

The winners of our two draws for Tom Rand's Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit have been chosen!

Growing the Margins and Green Living Show Winner:
Sarah Levy

Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board Career Fair Winner:
Katelynn Arnott, Holy Trinity Catholic High School

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone for entering.

Media Release: Ontario’s Greenest Homes and Home Designs Recognized and Celebrated!

April 13, 2011
(Toronto) Ontario’s leading edge builders, designers, academics and policy-makers gathered in Toronto last night to recognize and celebrate top projects in green home building, renovation and design. The first annual OntarioGreenSpec.ca Home Sweet Home Awards Gala and Presentation brought together bright, innovative talent from a variety of disciplines and industries for an inspiring night.

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Upcoming Events

2011 Energy Matters Summit

When: May 2 & 3, 2011

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Solar Ontario 2011

When: May 5-6, 2011

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OSEA and CanSIA Solar Drinks May

When: Tuesday, May 10th

More info >>

Bright Futures in Canada Conference

When: May 24-26, 2011

More info >>

Our Greener Side Celebration

When: Saturday, May 28th

More info >>

VerdeXchange Toronto 2011

When: June 5 & 6, 2011

More info >>