Wind Energy Tied to Maritime Electric Considered Success

subscribe

A five-year wind-energy research project that Maritime Electric was involved with is being called a success. PowerShift Atlantic proved utilities can partner with customers and shift their power use from costly, high-demand times to lower-use times to get the most out of wind energy.

A special device attached to hot water heaters and a smart meter allowed Maritime Electric to only heat the water when wind energy was being generated or during lower-demand hours when electricity is cheaper.

Maritime Electric customer Micheline Dufour says she didn't notice the utility turning her hot water heater off and on.

"If it avoided them to buy some more electricity at top dollar, well I'm all for it," said Dufour, one of 1,400 customers in the Maritimes who took part in PowerShift Atlantic.

Project manager Michel Losier says 80 per cent of those customers were happy and he says the project proved, on a small scale, utilities can even out electricity use and avoid having to construct new energy generation, which Losier says is a win-win for customers.

"And if we better operate the system, offset the need to build, and burn less fossil fuel, we'll better manage rates."

But Losier says customers will have to wait for those savings. He says PowerShift is ahead of its time. Losier says it could take decades for smart technology to catch up and make this affordable on a larger scale.

That forward-thinking is likely why PowerShift Atlantic was just named one of the top 20 organizations transforming electricity use in the world, a list that also includes the electric car manufacturer Tesla.

Related News

wind power

France and Germany arm wrestle over EU electricity reform

PARIS - Despite record temperatures this October, Europe is slowly shifting towards winter - its second since the Ukraine war started and prompted Russia to cut gas supplies to the continent.

After prices surged last winter, when gas and electricity bills “nearly doubled in all EU capitals”, the EU decided to take action.

In March, the European Commission proposed a reform “to boost renewables, better protect consumers and enhance industrial competitiveness”.

However, France and Germany are struggling to find a compromise and the clock is ticking as European energy ministers prepare to meet on 17 October in Luxembourg.


The controversy around CFDs
At…

READ MORE
transmission towers

California Legislators Prepare Vote to Crack Down on Utility Spending

READ MORE

Power Outage Disrupts Morning Routine for Thousands in London

Power Outage Disrupts Morning Routine for Thousands in London

READ MORE

Federal Government announces funding for Manitoba-Saskatchewan power line

READ MORE

Prepare for blackouts across the U.S. as summer takes hold

READ MORE