Green energy initiatives

The Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 establishes important responsibilities for the OEB and other entities in achieving the objectives of conservation, promotion of renewable generation, and technological innovation through the smart grid.

The OEB has three new objectives under the Act:

1. The promotion of renewable energy, including the timely connection of renewable energy projects to transmission and distribution systems;
2. The promotion of conservation and demand management; and
3. The facilitation of the implementation of a smart grid

The OEB is committed to integrating the objectives in the Green Energy Act with the Board’s traditional mandate around economic efficiency, cost effectiveness, consumer protection, and promotion of public confidence in the sector.

Resources

• Green Energy Initiatives - Frequently Asked Questions
• Get Connected - Information on Generation Programs (FIT, microFIT, Net Metering)
• Webcasts - Green Energy Act  Implementation Readiness

Initiatives

Conservation and demand management

• Directive issued by the Minister of Energy & Infrastructure to the Ontario Energy Board (pdf) (April 23, 2010)
• Conservation and Demand Management Code For Electricity Distributors (EB-2010-0215) (June 22, 2010)
• Electricity Conservation and Demand Management Targets (EB-2010-0216) (June 22, 2010)

Distribution system plans for renewable connection and smart grid

• Filing Requirements: Distribution System Plans – Filing under Deemed Conditions of Licence (EB-2009-0397)
  • The OEB issued its Filing Requirements: Distribution System Plans – Filing under Deemed Conditions of Licence on March 25, 2010. 

Infrastructure development and planning for renewable generation 

• Regional Planning (EB-2011-0043)
  • The OEB initiated a consultation aimed at promoting the cost-effective development of electricity infrastructure through coordinated planning on a regional basis between licensed distributors and transmitters.
• Rate Protection and the Determination of Direct Benefits under Ontario Regulation 330/09 (EB-2009-0349)
  • The OEB initiated a consultation process to address how the OEB should, in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 330/09, determine the direct benefits that accrue to the consumers of a distributor when that distributor has incurred costs to make an eligible investment in its distribution system to accommodate a renewable energy generation facility.
• Transmission Project Development Planning (EB-2010-0059)
  • The OEB proposes a process to designate transmitters to undertake development work for transmission projects identified as required for accommodating renewable generation by the OPA in its Economic Connection Test.
• Distributor Owned Generation (EB-2009-0411)
  • The OEB proposed amendments to the Distribution System Code and Affiliates Relationship Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters to reflect the ability of electricity distributors to own and operate certain renewable and other generation facilities as well as energy storage facilities.
• Distribution Rate for Embedded Generators (EB-2009-0326)
  • The OEB has commenced a proceeding to determine a just and reasonable rate to be charged by an electricity distributor for the recovery of costs associated with an embedded generator having a nameplate capacity of 10kilowatts or less that meets the eligibility requirements of the Ontario Power Authority’s microFIT program.
• The Regulatory Treatment of Infrastructure Investment for Ontario’s Electricity Transmitters and Distributors (EB-2009-0152)
  • The OEB is consulting on more innovative approaches to cost recovery for electricity infrastructure projects. Availability of the mechanisms will be associated primarily with investments relating to the accommodation of renewable generation and smart grid development.

Related Initiatives: 

• Distribution System Code Amendment (EB-2008-0102) 
  • The OEB issued Amendments to the Distribution System Code for simplifying the process for the connection of smaller sized generation facilities.
• Guidelines for Regulatory and Accounting Treatments for Distributor-Owned Generation Facilities (G-2009-0300)
  • The OEB issued Guidelines for the regulatory and accounting requirements for electricity distributors that own and operate renewable energy generation.
• Distribution System Code and Retail Settlement Code Proposed Amendments (EB-2009-0303)
  • The OEB proposed amendments to the Distribution System Code and the Retail Settlement Code with regard to the account treatment and settlement of retail embedded generation.
• Distributed Generation Connection Cost Responsibility (EB-2009-0077)
  • The OEB is revised its approach to assigning cost responsibility as between a distributor and a generator in relation to the connection of generation facilities to distribution systems.
• Distribution System Code Amendments - Generation Connection Process (EB-2009-0088)
  • The OEB is taking steps to ensure viable generation projects, particularly renewable generation projects, are connected to the distribution system in a timely manner.
• Transmission System Development: Transmission Connection Cost Responsibility (EB-2008-0003) 
  • The OEB is taking steps to facilitate the timely connection of clusters of renewable energy projects to the transmission system.