Getting to Zero Emissions with Help from Smart Grid Functionality

As power systems decarbonize their generation, they will experience a new challenge. All zero-emission electrical power systems produce significant amounts of surplus clean electricity. The current practice in most jurisdictions is to curtail the excess production that can’t be stored or exported to neighbouring power grids. The webinar will present data from Ontario, Canada. Ontario’s power system is now about 94% carbon free and needs to manage significant amounts of surplus clean electricity. About half is stored or exported at low spot market prices to neighboring power grids and about half is currently curtailed (wasted). This webinar proposes some retail electricity price reforms and smart grid functionality that can enable consumers to cost effectively use that surplus clean electricity when it is available to displace their fossil fuel use, reduce their overall energy bills and lower their atmospheric emissions.