Project Spotlight: "Supporting Electrification Policy in the GTHA: Facilitating Stakeholder Coordination Through the Integrated Design Process"
Volta Research Inc.
We strive to effectively develop and execute projects with our partners that facilitate change within the energy sector.
The electrification of buildings and transportation is a critical step towards achieving carbon reduction goals in Ontario. However, the adoption of high-performance building standards and increased electrification, including the integration of EV charging, creates additional pressure on the distribution grid, which is already facing capacity challenges. The current lack of coordination between building design, electrical utility infrastructure, and code development leads to missed opportunities for reducing peak loads and optimizing grid capacity. This gap risks increasing energy costs for residents, particularly in low-income communities and could create obstacles to further electrification efforts. With the rapid pace of growth in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), a more coordinated, proactive approach is needed to ensure that new buildings and neighbourhoods are designed to be distribution grid-friendly.
Through a series of integrated design process (IDP) workshops, this project will bring together key stakeholders from the Part 9 building, energy, and regulatory sectors to collaboratively explore how different national building code (NBC) compliance paths can be optimized to reduce utility grid impact and support electrification efforts.
The goal of these workshops is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders as they explore the effects of implementing higher building code tiers, integrating smart loads, and incorporating bidirectional EV charging and solar power into residential and community designs. By leveraging real-time data, building models, and utility load analysis, the sessions aim to identify strategies to reduce grid capacity demands and improve load forecasting. These efforts are designed to bridge silos and develop actionable solutions for effective grid integration.
Key Project Stakeholders:
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As we continue hosting these collaborative workshops, we’ll share updates throughout the process. Stay tuned for a recap of our first workshop on our social media channels, and keep an eye on our website for new developments next year as we move forward with this important project.
“Supporting Electrification Policy in the GTHA: Facilitating Stakeholder Coordination Through the Integrated Design Process” received funding from The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) . The views expressed are the personal views of the author(s), and TAF accepts no responsibility for them.