Panel: EVs Key to Canada's Smart Grid

Electric vehicles will soon hit Canada's roads, but they already play a role in the smart grid as the country modernizes its electric system in pursuit of clean air targets.

“We still have a lot of challenges in adopting electric vehicles,” Tom Odell, manager of EVs for Toronto Hydro Electric Systems, said during a panel discussion [in May’s] OCE Discovery 11 conference. “We see the smart grid as part of the solution.”

Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and regional utilities are collaborating with Mercedes, Toyota, General Motors and Nissan to prepare for the introduction of plug-in EVs to Canada this fall.

Ontario hopes incentives will ensure that one out of every 20 vehicles will be electrically powered by 2020, according to the Second Report of the Ontario Smart Grid Forum, May 11. A smart grid pilot program with Mercedes is studying the driving and EV charging patterns of 15 Toronto Hydro customers over four years. Customers are provided charging stations, power meter, and free charging and maintenance. [Full Story]