Are Canadians ready for the smart grid?
The answer is both yes and no, according to
SmartGrid Canada. So for two days this October, a multi-sectorial panel of experts will converge here to discuss where we are now and how we might become even better prepared.
The smart grid, as defined by SmartGrid Canada, "integrates two-way digital communication technology that analyzes, monitors and streamlines the system to maximize throughput, while promoting and enabling a reduction of overall energy consumption." Or, in other words, it's all that technology—the sensors, meters, digital controls and analytic tools—that help us track, monitor and control our electricity use in real-time to help us reduce consumption.
The upcoming conference will bring together experts from industry, the nonprofit sector, academia and government to brainstorm how to get consumers onboard with the smart grid rollout. The impetus for the confrence emerged, in part, from an SmartGrid Canada report on the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians relating to smart grid technology, the details of which will be released at the October event.
"Consumer engagement is critical to the success of smart grids in Canada, so we're very interested to gauge how much consumers know about the smart grid, and how we can improve the customer experience," stated Alex Bettencourt, managing director of SmartGrid Canada in a press release. "The research findings will provide valuable insight into the consumer's perspective and will help guide our vision and next steps on smart grid."
The annual SmartGrid Conference will be held October 15-16 at Toronto's MaRS Discovery District.
SmartGrid Canada, a national nonprofit made up of public and private partners, was founded in 2010 to facilitate research and promotes smarter electricity use across Canada.
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Luliana Calin, Communications Director, SmartGrid Canada