Energate has announced it is partnering with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) in a pilot deployment of residential and small commercial Demand Response (DR) solutions across select Ontario homes in Peterborough, Cambridge, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo. Under the pilot agreement, Energate says it will provide a full service implementation program for demand response solutions including “communicating smart thermostats, load control switches on water heaters and pool pumps, in-home energy displays and a ZIP Connect gateway that establishes broadband control of the largest energy loads in the home.”

The local distribution companies (LDC) participating in the pilots will leverage Energate’s Consumer Connected Demand Response (CCDR) platform. The system allows the LDCs and Ontario’s Grid Managers to manage peak energy demand with advanced two-way communication.

David Whitehouse, Customer Service Manager of Peterborough Utilities Group, says, “We are delighted to work with Energate’s team and advanced technology to manage demand and empower our customers. The use of innovative technologies allows our customers to reap energy-saving benefits while we shift peak demand to minimize the need for new generation capacity.”

With peak demand in Ontario projected to grow, an aging electricity infrastructure, and growing environmental concerns, the OPA is taking steps to ensure a reliable and green electricity supply. The OPA anticipates significant DR opportunities in Ontario and is planning to deploy a new province-wide demand response program in 2011.

Energate’s Chief Executive Officer, Niraj Bhargava, notes that, “Ontario is a global leading market in smart energy technology with ambitious green energy goals. We're very pleased that the comprehensive evaluation process chose Energate’s technology suite – one that can deliver energy management benefits to Ontario citizens for today and tomorrow.”

Ottawa-based Energate provides demand response and home energy management solutions for utilities and their customers. (www.energateinc.com)

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