Blog

This week, the Electricity Distributors Association was excited to release the digital version of the latest issue of The Distributor magazine. The theme for this issue is local hydro needs modern and flexible regulation and in it we explore whether regulation will enable or inhibit electrification as well as the value versus cost in getting the regulatory balance right.

Essex Powerlines is implementing a near real-time, local electricity market in its southwestern Ontario service territory. This innovative project, called PowerShare, will harness the flexibility of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicles, and demand response resources to meet or reduce electricity demand.

As inflation soars, supply chain issues continue, and concerns grow over a looming recession, utilities like so many other industries must find ways to do more with less. Coupled with the increasing pressure to improve operational efficiency, utilities face a growing labour crisis. Recruiting new talent to replace retirees who hold decades of knowledge, or to fill short-term vacancies, is becoming an increasing challenge.