Combating climate change requires new and innovative approaches to electricity distribution.
That’s why the federal government announced a $10.8-million investment in a smart grid project.
The initiative will see New Brunswick Power and Nova Scotia Power pilot new digital energy technologies, which will create 150 highly skilled jobs and reduce emissions by 2,800 tonnes annually by 2030 — all while lowering costs for consumers.
In Shediac, 500 homes will be selected to test technologies such as smart meters, time-varying rates, smart thermostats, solar rooftops and in-home battery storage.
Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO at New Brunswick Power says their goal is to meet the future needs of our customers in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective way by gradually eliminating the remaining 20 to 25 percent of our power generation that is carbon producing while ensuring we protect our customers from the significant rate increases that have resulted from this transition elsewhere.
“The only way to have a fully renewable future is with the integration of smart grid technologies that ease the acceptance of small-scale renewables onto the grid. This five-year pilot project will allow for testing the integration of small-scale solar power and battery storage along with other smart technologies into customers’ homes,” Thomas says.
The utility will also focus on potential cybersecurity issues posed by these connected devices.
