Canadian Solar, a global solar power company, opened the Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Center.
The facility will focus on micro-grid solution testing, and system solution design and smart grid assessment services.
The Canadian Solar Microgrid Testing Center, partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, will be located in Guelph, Ontario. The facility has a team of highly qualified professionals, who will facilitate the development of both off-grid and grid-tied microgrid projects. It will work also with its collaborators to provide shareable services for utilities, universities and colleges, communities, and companies that engage in the development of microgrid solutions.
“The investment in the Canadian Solar by the Smart Grid Fund project supports our vision for developing leading-edge smart-grid projects that help create Ontario jobs and make Ontario a North American leader in emerging energy technologies,” said Liz Sandals, Ontario Minster of Education and Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario, representing Guelph.
The new microgrid solution will give Ontario a strong competitive advantage in that segment of the smart-grid industry that focuses on testing, develop and integrating high penetration renewable energy solutions into existing microgrid off-grid infrastructure. First Nations, remote communities and mining projects in Northern Ontario will directly benefit from using the facility. In addition, the testing center will serve an essential need in the smart microgrid application process, as Ontario Hydro requires all solutions to be lab tested before being testing in the field and then implemented into the microgrid.
“Building a smarter grid has long been a key part of our government’s plan to modernize our energy infrastructure and provide clean, reliable affordable power to consumers,” said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Energy. “Projects supported through the Ontario’s Smart Grid Fund support the vision that will bring to market the next generation of smart grid solutions.”
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