Saint John Energy and its new partner, Open Systems International, are working to develop new smart grid technology.
Carl Ozkaynak, Director of Smart Grid for Saint John Energy, says the new “state-of-the-art” smart control centre will allow them to track and control smart consumer products with more efficiency, and make energy distribution cheaper.
A smart grid allows Saint John Energy to better communicate with smart technology consumer products, such as smart thermostats or fridges. It will also reduce energy consumption and manage costs at peak times when energy is more expensive, Ozkaynak explains
He says the new system is a big upgrade, and will really modernize their services.
“So we now have these tools that really help us manage the grid in more ways that we’ve never been able to before, which will help us to keep the reliability of the grid sustainable, along with the cost,” he said in an interview.
Open Systems International (OSI) will help develop a Smart Control Centre that will allow us to maximize efficiency by monitoring/controlling all smart resources & smart consumer products on the grid from a central location.#poweringourfuture #smartgrid https://t.co/a0ZMtH78eV
— Saint John Energy (@SJENERGY) April 30, 2019
Smart grid technology also facilitates renewable power sources including wind and solar plants to power the grid.
Ozkaynak says finding ways to implement more renewable forms of energy is important as demands for power and electricity rise.
“More and more of our customers are depending on energy like they never have before,” he said. “One of the best ways—efficiency wise, cost savings, and the ability to add that load as we grow—is being able to take advantage of renewable technologies.”
Saint John Energy is currently considering proposals from developers to build a wind energy project in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park, something Ozkaynak says will also save costs, and allow them to store more power, longer.
In addition, customers will have more sustainable options for their homes.
“Also with wind and solar, putting more programs in place where customers can add solar to their homes, to their businesses, and that there’s a cost savings involved with that.”
He says they can either use solar to power their own home at a cheaper cost, or they can have the option to send some of that power produced back to SJ Energy’s grid, and receive a credit in return.
