Regional News
November 29, 2007 12:11 AM
Jessica Young, Staff Writer
Can you think as far ahead as 2027?
The Ontario Power Authority is looking forward 20 years to see how the province will manage its energy consumption.
The result is the integrated power system plan that offers a three-pronged approach to meeting energy needs.
One proposal is the expansion of the demand response program, a method of curbing heavy power use during times of peak demand.
In York Region, the program is split into two parts, one for medium to large commercial, industrial, and institutional companies, the other for homes and small business.
“At times, when electrical demands are high, certain groups of customers are paid to be on standby to curtail the demand and reduce the cost,” Powerstream’s director of engineering planning, Ted Wojcinski said.
If you’re working and all of a sudden the office hall lights go dim or the air conditioner is lowered, this could be a result of your company participating in demand response.
Local companies can sign up for demand response if they are in northern York Region.
Residents and small businesses can participate in the province-wide peaksaver program with Powerstream, Mr. Wojcinski said. Powerstream serves Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.
Programmable thermostats turn down air conditioners at times of peak demand. Since the program rolled out last year, the company has provided 2,100 programmable thermostats.
The company is enticing consumers by giving free thermostats to those in the program. Consumers do not get paid to shut off air conditioners at specific times.
The second proposal is a new Holland transformer station north of Millers Side Road and east of Dufferin Street.
With the Armitage Transformer Station at capacity, there’s definitely more growth in electricity needs, Markham energy conservation office manager Viive Sawler said.
Like the Armitage Transformer Station, the new station will provide power for Hydro One, Powerstream and Newmarket Hydro. The project needs provincial Environmental Assessment Act approval to go ahead.
The project received a conditional approval last June and is slated to open May 2009.
The final suggestion from the report is a new 350 megawatt gas-fired generation plant in northern York Region to meet the power needs of the growing community at peak times.
“During the days when the grid is maxed out and there’s a capacity issue, that’s when this plant would run,” Ms Sawler said.
Where the gas plant will be placed is still in question, but the prospective service date for local generation is 2011, Ms Sawler said.
“(The gas plant) was identified in the plan and it’s technically feasible and sound. It will basically meet a lot of the needs of the region,” Mr. Wojcinski said.
The power authority will launch a procurement process and a request for proposal.
It will be up to proponents to find a proper site, meet environmental requirements and operate the facility, Mr. Wojcinski said.