On January 16, 2019, the Ontario Energy Board launched the OEB Innovation Sandbox (the Sandbox) to provide a streamlined, accessible way to support companies interested in testing new ideas, products, services and business models that have the potential to provide value to electricity and natural gas consumers.
What happened in 2019/2020
- Thirteen proponents approached the Sandbox between July 2019 and end of June 2020. Proponents included a mix of non-utility businesses as well as electricity distributors.
- Proponents came forward with a wide range of issues and questions relating to the regulatory treatment of new products, services and ideas for business models in Ontario.
- Most proponents that approached the Sandbox were interested in information and guidance related to regulatory considerations associated with their ideas.
- Three proponents submitted written proposals during the reporting period. One of these written proposals resulted in the provision of written guidance by OEB staff to a rate-regulated electricity distributor and the issuance of a related Bulletin (see below). Consideration of the other two written proposals is in the information-gathering stage.