How the Smart Grid is Helping Ontario meet its power demands

Last week we talked about the Smart Grid and how it will work and benefit both consumers and energy customers alike. City of Toronto has recently joined forces with Rodan Energy Solutions to provide support for their Demand Response 3 (DR3) program. City of Toronto facilities will be encouraged to limit their energy usage during peak times to limit the strain on the overall network. This will allow local energy companies to limit the amount of energy they produce at high wholesale electricity prices and then pass along to the customers.

Under this program large energy users in the program would have some of their energy needs cycled during peak times. This would be for non-essential needs such as lighting and cooling. By going with this approach it will limit the potential for rolling blackouts or increased energy prices for all consumers in the area.

Programs like this one provided by Rodan will help limit the amount of power plants need to be built as well as reducing the overall carbon footprint for all the participants.