Features News
IESO and OEB partnering on proposals for distributed energy pilot projects

October 19, 2021 – Through their Grid Innovation Fund and Innovation Sandbox, respectively, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator and Ontario Energy Board have partnered in a joint call for proposals to create a “one-stop shop for innovators to access project funding and regulatory assistance that will enable distributed energy pilot projects to become a reality”.

Distributed energy resources (DERs) generally refer to resources that produce, store or manage electricity, explains IESO, and are connected to a local grid or on a customer’s premises. Some examples include rooftop solar panels, battery storage units and demand-response devices (e.g. smart thermostats) that help reduce or shift consumers’ electricity usage.

The proposal intake window will be open from November 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021. To assist interested proponents in preparing their proposals, application guidelines and proposal templates are now available.

With Ontario electricity demand increasing this decade, the partners say DERs have the potential “to increase grid reliability and affordability for both the local and provincial electricity systems, as well as support community economic development and sustainability goals”.

“This call for proposals will help increase our understanding of DER capabilities and speed up its integration into electricity markets, allowing these benefits to be realized faster,” says IESO.

The IESO Grid Innovation Fund and OEB Innovation Sandbox teams will host a walkthrough of the joint targeted call templates on October 28, 11 am to 12 pm, and will be available to answer questions.

Register with IESO Stakeholder Engagement at engagement@ieso.ca.