Siemens Canada to develop smart grid program for NB Power
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
The 10-year deal will modernize the province's electrical system.
FREDERICTON— NB Power has partnered with Siemens Canada to develop a smart grid program that will modernize the province’s electrical system.
Siemens says its Smart Grid technology controls power consumption based on the availability of electrical energy in the network. In comparison, a conventional energy supply network provides power based on consumption. It also allows renewable energy sources to be integrated into the network and ensures this in-feed of renewable energy can be intelligently controlled.
The technology provides real-time data on customer usage, and automates and shifts electricity generation, allowing NB Power to save money by generating power using its lowest-cost assets to meet demand.
NB Power entered into the 10-year agreement as part of its reduce and shift demand (RASD) strategy outlined in the New Brunswick Energy Blueprint directive.
“The way we use and generate electricity is significantly changing in New Brunswick. We want to place our customers at the centre of our electrical system and work with them to modernize the way our energy is consumed in the future,” said Gaëtan Thomas, NB Power’s president and CEO.
“The introduction of Smart Grid initiatives will provide choices for customers to control their future electricity cost.”
NB Power says the agreement will enable NB Power to stabilize energy rates for consumers, and provides them with options in choosing how they control and manage their electricity usage including:
– smart communicating thermostats
– energy smart appliances
– self-serve options for energy shifting
– information dashboards
– modern energy thermal storage devices.
Siemens Canada is also going to develop a Centre of Competence (CoC), and a research and development office in Fredericton, which combined will create 40 new jobs.
