Since there are several solar panels on the roof, it's a bit far-fetched to call your home a power plant.
But what if your home also has a way to store solar energy and connect to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of other families in the community?
What if your local power company was able to manage the collection of these houses how to deploy the electricity they generate and store?
Essentially, you will have a virtual power plant.
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors, called it "the energy Internet ".
"It's a future, Neetika Sathe, deputy
The president of PowerStream smart grid technology started construction today.
Second Ontario
The largest municipal power company launched a pilot project this week that will see 20 homes in and around Richmond Hill with solar panels and bookshelves
Battery system size.
These home systems will be networked like computers in the office, allowing PowerStream to control all 20 systems like one systema zero-
Discharge cell power plant.
"We are the first people in Canada to do this," Sathe said . " He plans to eventually open the project to PowerStream's 375,000 customers, which are distributed across 15 Vaughan and Barry, including Markham
The utility will be marketing the project in the name of PowerHouse.
For participating customers, it offers the potential for lower hydro bills and never knows when there is a shortage
Due to the reliable backup provided by the battery system, there will be a long-term power outage near them.
A handy mobile app tells homeowners when their system will generate power and the charging status of the battery.
The advantage of PowerStream is the ability to control all battery systems and to decide how and when to use the stored energy to support the local grid.
"If we had a storm alert and knew there might be trees falling on the wire, sathe said:" Click a button and we can tell all of these battery systems to charge, because we may need them to back up later. ".
Sathe, who previously worked for Nissan Canada to launch the company's Leaf electric vehicle, said it was difficult to go back and promote gasoline. burning models.
She decided it was time to move on.
"There is no gasoline in my blood.
I have electrons in my veins now.
"The battery system is provided by San Francisco-
Based on Sunverge, it also provides software that allows PowerStream to intelligently connect all systems together.
Ken Munson, chief executive of Sunverge, said the software can not only monitor and control solar panels and batteries, but also play a bigger role.
It can also manage home charging for electric vehicles, as well as the operation of smart thermostats and other devices that are becoming part of an automated home.
Monson thinks Musk's high
The introduction release of Tesla's Powerwall battery may excite people about the possibility of home and enterprise energy storage.
"We see a global
"We're happy because of their presence, so it's good for us," Munson said . ".
The musk effect article is part of a series of articles produced by Toronto Star and Canadian tidal Corporation to address Canada's series of pressing climate issues ahead of the UN climate change conference in Paris, December 2015.
Tides Canada supports this partnership to raise public awareness and dialogue on the impact of climate change on Canada's economy and communities.
The Toronto Star has complete editorial control and responsibility to ensure that the story is strictly edited to meet editorial standards.