First utility in Canada to install Tesla’s Powerwall

Veridian unveils Tesla Powerwalls at corporate headquarters

June 10 2016

Ajax, ON – June 10, 2016 –  Today, Veridian Connections (“Veridian”) unveiled the installation of two Tesla Powerwalls at its corporate headquarters in Ajax. The first of its kind in Canada, it is part of an innovative microgrid project the utility launched earlier this year alongside Opus One Solutions (“Opus One”). The project will integrate multiple sources of residential clean energy, while maximizing load efficiencies, energy utilization levels and provide backup power in case of grid outages.

“We are thrilled to be the first utility in Canada to install Tesla’s Powerwall – a key milestone in our microgrid project with Opus One,” said Veridian President and CEO Michael Angemeer. “Our goal is to demonstrate and evaluate the benefits of battery storage, renewable energy and electric vehicles for our residential customers, and make progress towards net-zero carbon emission homes and eventually virtual power plants – providing direct benefits and expanded services to our customers.” He added “It is important to test out flexible systems in the home or business and connections to our 24/7 system control centre from a technical and customer interface perspective to allow the optimal sharing of benefits between the customer and the utility.”

The next phase of the project will see additions of a solar powered carport canopy with electric vehicle charging stations at the company’s corporate headquarters. The project also includes the deployment of two residential microgrids involving two homebuilders – managed by Opus One’s GridOS^® Microgrid Energy Management System and Veridian’s 24/7 grid operations system.

“We continue to be excited with the opportunity to facilitate both customer and utility operational benefits with the use of advanced technology,” said Opus One President and CEO Joshua Wong. The software solutions company based in Richmond Hill, Ontario has been working with utilities in Canada and the United States to facilitate the increased adoption of renewable energy and storage. “We at Opus One envision a future energy system that resembles a connected energy internet where energy that is created anywhere is available to everyone, and the innovation demonstrated by Veridian is a giant step in that direction.”

About Veridian Connections
Veridian Connections, serving more than 119,000 customers, is about to become the fifth largest municipally owned electric utility in Ontario after the merger of large utilities west of Toronto is completed. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation, the parent company to Veridian Connections. The utility has a successful history of effective growth through two mergers and five acquisitions, and now serves nine communities east and north of Toronto more efficiently than any other large non-contiguous utility in Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers’ electricity bills through the delivery of innovative cconservation programs and reasonable rates. Veridian not only contributes to local communities through industry leading financial returns, but also helps build stronger communities through the support of youth, health, economic development, education, the arts, the environment and the disadvantaged. Industry leading employee programs, public safety and a focus on employee engagement has created an environment that has attracted six consecutive Canada’s Greenest Employer awards and one Top GTA Employer award. Veridian has now diversified into renewable energy, and will be establishing other value added offerings for its customers.

About Opus One Solutions
Opus One Solutions is a software engineering and solutions company with the vision of a Connected Energy Internet, delivering real-time energy management to the modern grid. Through GridOS^®, its leading edge suite of offerings, Opus One delivers a new level of visibility and control to electricity distribution by solving and optimizing complex power flows. Seamlessly integrating with existing utility data systems, GridOS^® modular and scalable solutions provide powerful grid management capabilities to unlock greater potential for distributed energy resources including renewable generation, energy storage and responsive demand. GridOS^® further facilitates the management of microgrids from homes to businesses to communities for unparalleled grid resiliency and value to the electricity customer.
For more information, contact:

Chris Mace
Corporate Communications Representative
Veridian Connections Inc.
Phone: 905-427-9870, extension 2218
Email: cmace@veridian.on.ca
Website: veridian.on.ca | Twitter: @VeridianTweets

Keyvan Cohanim
Chief Commercial Officer
Opus One Solutions Energy Corporation
Email: kcohanim@opusonesolutions.com
Website: opusonesolutions.com | Twitter: @OpusOneSolns