Articles from Electrical Business

Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Parking Authority celebrated reaching 500 electrified EV charging stations in Toronto's largest municipally owned network. This milestone highlights the successful partnership between Toronto Hydro and TPA, contributing to the city's electrification goals. Originally installed and managed by Toronto Hydro, the network's ownership was transferred to TPA in 2023. This year, over 4,000 additional EV charging stations will be connected across Toronto.

Rexel has expanded its presence into Canada by introducing Talley, a U.S.-based distributor of wireless infrastructure products. Talley, which initially focused on radio communications, now primarily offers wireless broadband solutions. This expansion seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for data services in Canada, leveraging Talley's established vendor relationships and Rexel's local partnerships. Talley Canada will operate from facilities in Mississauga and Edmonton, positioning itself strategically to meet customer needs across the country.

The article highlights a survey commissioned by the Electricity Distributors Association revealing high trust levels among Ontarians in their local utilities, with strong support for grid investments. EDA President Teresa Sarkesian discusses the significant role of contractors, engineers, and manufacturers in aiding utilities to maintain reliability amidst growing demand. The conversation also explores cost management strategies and the necessity for innovation through digital utilities and AI integration. Networking events like EDIST are emphasized as platforms for innovation-sharing and collaboration within the energy sector.

The Province of Ontario and Canada announced a joint commitment of $3 billion to support the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington nuclear station. Ontario is contributing $1 billion, while the Canadian federal government provides $2 billion. The project aims to have the G7's first operational SMRs, creating thousands of jobs and generating significant electricity for the region. Construction is already underway, and completion is expected by 2030.

The 5th annual Retrofit Canada conference in Toronto highlighted the significance of energy efficiency retrofits in achieving Canada's climate goals. A panel discussion focused on the role of retrofit accelerator programs, detailing initiatives such as the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI) which aims to support deep retrofits in various building types. Concerns were raised about barriers like funding confusion and inconsistent language within the retrofit market. Participants stressed the need for better communication and collaboration to advance retrofit objectives.

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has honored several projects and organizations in their inaugural awards program, recognizing innovation and leadership in Canada's renewable and energy storage industries. Key winners include the Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park for Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corp. and Boralex, and Glooscap Energy for Indigenous Clean Energy Company of the Year. The awards celebrate efforts in wind, solar, and energy storage, highlighting successful collaborations and advancements within Canada’s renewable sector.

German Technology Day 2025 showcased advanced manufacturing and automation solutions from German companies at the Toronto Congress Centre. Attendees experienced innovations like Jumo's Aquis Touch P/S and Siemens' Simatic S7-1200 G2 PLCs, alongside Rittal's RiLineX busbar system. A variety of companies including Rittal, EPlan, and Weidmuller demonstrated their cutting-edge technology, focusing on efficiency, safety, and automation. The event was attended by industry professionals, including Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Victor Fedeli.

The Canadian government has allocated over $13 million to support Ontario projects focused on modernizing the electricity grid. This funding, part of the Energy Innovation Program, aims to enhance access to electricity markets by integrating customer-owned devices into the grid. Numerous projects, including those by Alectra Utilities Corp. and Peak Power Inc., will use this funding to advance Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), improve power quality, and foster a cleaner and more resilient energy grid. These initiatives will enable local energy procurement and defer traditional infrastructure investments, benefiting ratepayers.

In June 2025, the value of building permits in Canada decreased by $1.2 billion to $12 billion, largely due to a decline in Ontario's institutional component. Non-residential permits fell by $863.8 million, with significant impacts in the institutional and commercial sectors. The residential construction sector also saw a decline, primarily in multi-family housing in British Columbia. Despite these declines, certain areas, such as industrial construction in Quebec and Ontario, experienced increases.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project in Ontario has commenced operations as the largest battery energy storage facility in Canada, achieved through a partnership between Northland Power Inc. and several other entities. The 250-MW/1000-MWh facility came online two months early and under budget, despite rising costs of lithium-ion batteries. This project serves as a model for future energy storage initiatives, providing increased grid reliability and reducing emissions significantly. Developments were supported by strong partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizational collaborations, illustrating the potential for large-scale sustainable energy solutions.

Ipex has opened a new high-efficiency distribution center in Woodstock, Ontario, representing an investment of over $27 million. The 150,000-square-foot facility will enhance Ipex's supply chain abilities in eastern Canada and the United States. It features advanced logistics functions such as cross-docking and a pedestrian-free design to improve safety and speed of goods movement. Local officials praised the center for its innovation and potential for local employment growth.

Siemens Canada is winding down production at its Peterborough, Ontario facility and expanding its operations at the Concord location to enhance competitiveness in its industrial automation business. Over the next two years, manufacturing roles for Measurement Intelligence technologies will transfer from Peterborough to Concord, affecting approximately 160 positions in Peterborough but creating around 70 new jobs in Concord. Siemens aims to support affected employees during this transition and remains committed to employee growth, with about 100 current open positions.