HALTON HILLS, ON, Nov. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Halton Hills Hydro launched an innovative energy project that combines renewable energy and smart grid technology, to mount individual solar panels on about 200 hydro poles in Georgetown, Acton and surrounding communities today at Ballinafad Community Centre.
"I am excited by this project, which reduces our carbon footprint, while respecting the natural heritage of our community," said Mayor Rick Bonnette.
The panels will be mounted on hydro poles over the next two months. They are already installed in seven locations.
The solar units can be installed quickly and simply on existing poles and begin to generate power immediately. Demonstrating the ease with which they can be mounted, a new panel was installed during the event, on Trafalgar Road, in Ballinafad, Ontario.
A key benefit of the project is the distribution system monitoring provided by these panels. This enhances the smart grid by providing valuable, real time information about the panels and distribution system so that the utility can adjust and improve overall efficiency. Distribution line losses are reduced as the panels generate clean, renewable power close to where it's needed. Each panel generates about 1kWh of electricity per day.
"The flexibility of the technology means that we can expand incrementally," said Halton Hills Hydro President Art Skidmore. There are 1,400 suitable hydro poles in the area, enough to power 50 homes.
"We are excited about this creative energy solution that combines renewable energy and smart grid benefits," Skidmore said. "There are literally hundreds of thousands of these poles across Ontario."
The panels are supplied by Harvester Energy, a subsidiary of Halton Hills Community Energy Corporation and a Canadian distributor of the technology. Halton Hills Hydro is the mid-sized local distribution company serving more than 20,000 urban and rural customers in the Town of Halton Hills.
Image with caption: "From left, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and Halton Hills Hydro President and CEO Art Skidmore join power line technicians Hessel Faber and Matt Stephens before technicians mount a unique solar-smart grid panel on Trafalgar Road in Ballinafad. (CNW Group/Halton Hills Hydro)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121108_C6348_PHOTO_EN_20398.jpg
Image with caption: "Halton Hills Hydro power line technician Hessel Faber connects one of the utility's new solar-smart grid panels at a launch event for the innovative project. (CNW Group/Halton Hills Hydro)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121108_C6348_PHOTO_EN_20399.jpg
Image with caption: "Halton Hills Hydro power line technicians Matt Stephens, on the ground, and Hessel Faber, above, install a new solar-smart grid panel on Trafalgar Road in Ballinafad. (CNW Group/Halton Hills Hydro)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121108_C6348_PHOTO_EN_20400.jpg
SOURCE: Halton Hills Hydro
Art Skidmore, President and CEO, Halton Hills Hydro, Tel: 519, 853, 3700, ext. 225, email: [email protected].
Additional background information about the project is available at: http://haltonhillshydro.com/about-us-whats-new.asp
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