Hydro Ottawa has received $6 million in federal funding to apply AI to its electricity network.
In a press release Thursday, Natural Resources Canada said the money will go to the Ottawa Distributed Energy Resource Accelerator (ODERA) program.
Bryce Conrad, president and CEO of Hydro Ottawa, said in the release that the program is part of the solution for capacity constraints increasingly seen in high-growth areas of the city such as Kanata North, where a new tech hub is being developed.
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“It’s a scalable blueprint for integrating cleaner, smarter energy across other areas of our service territory,” he said. “By leveraging advanced technology … we can proactively address localized system needs in near real time. This approach can fundamentally change how we manage grid load as it transforms customer-owned assets into valuable, responsive grid resources.”
The program will use AI-powered predictive analytics to forecast peak demand, using customer-owned assets like smart thermostats, electric vehicle chargers and home batteries as data sources. Hydro Ottawa can then use that data to inform real-time balancing of supply and demand, proactively mitigating grid constraints, according to the release.
“AI integration is increasing productivity across numerous sectors in Canada, and we will continue to invest in innovative technologies,” Evan Solomon, minister of artificial intelligence, said in the release. “Integrating AI into Hydro Ottawa while prioritizing efficient use will keep more power available in the grid. Our government is building AI for all and using it to improve the day-to-day lives of Canadians.”
The release added that the program will allow consumers to have more control over their household energy consumption by managing energy distribution with the help of technology.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the funding is an indication that Ottawa is on the forefront of innovation.
“It’s encouraging to see Hydro Ottawa recognized as a leader in using innovation and AI to strengthen our electricity grid,” he said. “Projects like ODERA will give residents and businesses more control over their energy use. This is exactly the kind of smart investment that benefits Ottawa residents today while preparing our city for the future.”
