The following is excerpted from a publication by the new Microgrid Alliance, based in Washington DC:
Canada is researching smart grid though The NSERC Smart Microgrid Network (NSMG-Net), a partnership of Canadian universities, government and industry. The multi-disciplinary research program is developing, testing and verifying technologies and regulations. Remote microgrids are especially important in Canada, which has almost 300 remote communities, many of which rely on diesel generators for electricity. In its long-term energy plan, Ontario calls for working with the federal government to develop microgrids for remote First Nation communities.
Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar power companies, has opened a microgrid test center in Ontario to share information and services with utilities, colleges, communities, and companies that want to develop microgrids. The program is partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, which hopes to gain a strong competitive advantage in microgrid development with the help of the testing center. Located in Guelph, the center will study both off-grid and grid-tied microgrid projects. It will focus in particular on testing, developing and integrating high penetration renewable energy into existing microgrids that are not grid connected. The province sees benefit in off-grid projects for First Nations, remote communities and mining projects in Northern Ontario.
Founding members of the Alliance include General MicroGrids, Landis+Gyr, Alstom, Enbala, and Green Energy Corp.
— Microgrid Alliance, Discussion Guide for Policymakers, Regulators and End Users http://www.microgridalliance.org/