Sault Smart Grid

The PUC Distribution Inc. (PUC) Sault Smart Grid (SSG) Project is transforming the way we deliver electricty by modernizing our entire service territory distribution energy infrastructure. Once operational, it will be the first community-wide smart grid in Canada. 

The SSG will enhance reliability and resiliency, improve outage management, reduce energy consumption, and provide increased real-tme operatioonal awareness and control of the distribution system for improved operations and asset utilization efficiency without increasing the customer bill.

Reduced energy consumption will directly result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions from reduced provincial grid generation requirements. The project included an upgrade to the legacy SCADA system to the Survalent Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and integration of existing systems, including Automated Meter Information (AMI), Geographic Information System (GIS) and the Customer Information System (CIS).  

Benefits of the Sault Smart Grid include:

      

Average energy savings of 2.7% for residential customers

Annual reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2,804 tonnes of carbon dioxide

   

Improved Reliability - shorter outages and fewer customers impacted

   

Improved communications and advanced reporting

 

The (ADMS) key applicatons include:

  • FLISR (Fault Location, Isolation & Service Restoration) - distribution automation with SCADA-enabled stations and line distribution equipment such as breakers, reclosers, switches, and faulted circuit indicators (FCIs),
  • VVO/DVR - (Volt-VAR/ Distribution Voltage Reduction) – SCADA-enabled equipment on substations and feeders for voltage management control, and
  • OMS – (Outage Management System) - improved outage management functions for PUC and customer information. 

The SSG project also required the application and development of communications technologies for required new equipment through PUC Services utility communication networks, including fibre and cellular technologies, for data access and control. 

Collectively these technologies and applications comprise the SSG that will deliver the benefits outlined above and is positioning the PUC to better deploy and/or accommodate new distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaics, energy storage (batteries), cogeneration, and electric vehicles (EVs) as well as support smart city and other community growth initiatives. 

Project Progress

The Sault Smart Grid Project is in the final stages, with an expected completion date in the fall, 2023. Click on the links below to see videos of the project process:

 Concrete being poured | Feb 2023 

 Sub 20 transformer installation | Nov 2022

  Sub 20 transformer removal | Nov 2022
 

Reporting

PUC Distribution Inc. | Sault Smart Grid Final Report
 

In the Media & Important Links

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau helps to launch Sault Smart GridCTV News | November 10th, 2023

Up North with Jonathan Pinto - Sault Ste. Marie utility company launches Canada’s first ‘smart grid’ CBC Radio | November 10th, 2023

Trudeau Applauds Sault's First ever, Community Wide Smart Grid - Sault Star | November 10, 2023

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Sault Smart Grid Project Overview

PUC Nears completion of Canada's First city-wide smart grid | Sault This Week | July 10, 2023

MP Wants Sault Smart Grid to Fuel Economic Development  |Sault Star | April 7, 2023

Construction to start citywide next next month on $36 million PUC project | Sootoday.com | April 6, 2022

What Sault Ste. Marie smart grid will mean for residents - and cybersecurity | TVO | June 4, 2021

PUC's $34M Smart Grid project gets OEB approval | The Sault Star | May 4, 2021


Presentations

Building the First Community-Wide Smart Grid System in Canada | CEATI Transmission and Distribution Conference | November 2023

Opportunities for Energy Innovation | Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) | August 2023

Sault Smart Grid Update | EDIST | May 2023

EDA Electrification Council | April 2023

EDA Northwestern/Northeastern Annual Meeting | September 2022  

               

      

                              

         

 

 

 

 

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