Power.House Hybrid: Minimizing GHGs and Maximizing Grid Benefits

Lead Proponent

Alectra Utilities Corporation

Project Background

This project demonstrated how a full complement of controllable electrical and thermal energy technologies, installed in 10 Markham homes with integrated controls and real-time grid GHG signals, achieved significant reductions in total household GHGs. This was accomplished while still providing energy for space and water heating, transportation, and appliances.

Key Components of the Project

1. Establishment of Baselines and Retrofitting: Homes were retrofitted with energy efficiency measures, solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, micro-Combined Heat and Power (microCHP), and smart air handler systems to support hybrid heating with air source heat pumps.
2. Integration into the Virtual Power Plant (VPP): The fleet of 10 Power.House Hybrid homes was successfully integrated into the Proponent’s Virtual Power Plant platform.
3. Optimization of Equipment Operation: Controls optimized equipment operation to minimize GHGs and maximize value to the grid using real-time grid GHG signals.

Results

The project contributed significantly to the Canadian economy and environment by supporting the development of Canadian technological innovation. It served as a model for municipalities, utilities, and other stakeholders across the country, providing key insights towards reducing GHG emissions and transforming to a more sustainable energy sector.

Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, Alectra, Enbridge, and the City of Markham’s project teams made substantial progress. By 2021, they reached the implementation stage, completing thermal equipment installation at participating customer homes as permitted by public health guidelines.

The technical team developed a communications architecture for signalling between multiple vendor equipment and successfully tested control logic. This system sent dispatch signals to the electrical and thermal equipment, optimizing for GHG reductions.

Benefits to Canada

Power.House Hybrid demonstrated the opportunities that can arise through collaboration between Alectra Utilities, Enbridge Inc, City of Markham, and Toronto Metropolitan University.

PHH gave participants the confidence and guidance they needed to start their journey towards lowering the carbon footprint of their house through experience with new technologies and access to experts. Consumers recognized and appreciated the involvement of Federal and municipal government, along with local utility partnerships to expand their understanding of the interconnection between energy use in their personal homes, impacts to electricity and gas systems, and policy at various levels of government.

Having a backup battery enabled customers to behave ‘as usual’ despite grid outages from extreme weather or grid constraints. Participants felt that the setup provided better air flow, healthier air, and more consistent heating, cooling, and hot water. The integrated system of technologies and controls resulted in significant cost savings for most participants, varying by season and household composition. The environmental benefits were the main driver of consumer participation.

Next steps

All partners continue to explore opportunities to work together. Alectra is considering next steps for residential pilots focusing on EV charging, solar/storage, and heat pumps, and is continuing to work with Enbridge and partners to advance low carbon, hybrid heating solutions. Enbridge continues to support advancement of a variety of technologies that serve the various needs of their customer groups through collaboration with stakeholders. The City of Markham is providing resources, education and expertise to increase residential retrofits, and is exploring further options to help homeowners towards net-zero emissions by 2050.