PowerStream to Offer Unique Residential Solar-storage Program

VAUGHAN, ON--(Marketwired - September 14, 2015) - PowerStream has received funding from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)'s Conservation Fund to pilot a Virtual Power Plant using residential solar-storage technology with 20 residential customers within the utility's service territory. This innovative pilot project will evaluate the customer, conservation, grid and utility business benefits of these integrated solar-storage systems.

The pilot will enable participating customers to displace a significant portion of the electricity they source from the grid and better manage the electricity that they do use, resulting in reduced energy costs, lowered carbon footprint and improved efficiency. The systems will also be used by the utility to contribute to grid reliability and resiliency.

PowerStream has partnered with Sunverge Energy to provide the battery storage and energy management system (EMS) for the pilot. Using Sunverge's cloud-based software, PowerStream will maintain the fleet of distributed energy assets and operate a Virtual Power Plant. PowerStream has also partnered with Robertson Bright Inc. to install and maintain all equipment using trained professionals at participating customers' homes.

Customers will have an opportunity to participate in a hassle-free residential solar-storage pilot program with an upfront cost to partially cover installation, followed by a nominal monthly service fee over a 5 year program. Participating customers will receive a 5 kW solar array, 11.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, 6.8 kW inverter, a bi-directional meter and remote access to an energy management system that will allow them to monitor the system at their own convenience. PowerStream is finalizing the details of the project and the offer, which will be made available to customers sometime in the next few weeks.

QUOTES

• "As an industry leader in Smart Grid technologies, PowerStream is excited to offer the opportunity to some of our customers to be among the first in Canada to adopt an integrated solar-storage technology." says Maurizio Bevilacqua, PowerStream Board Chair and City of Vaughan Mayor. "This ground-breaking pilot program is consistent with PowerStream's positioning as a premier energy services provider, helping to add yet another environment-friendly and economical energy choice to our customers."

• "The IESO is pleased to help fund PowerStream's project through the Conservation Fund," says Bruce Campbell, President and CEO of the IESO. "It is ideas like this one that help to keep Ontario on the leading edge of innovation and enables us to test new and unique conservation program elements for the benefit of ratepayers. We look forward to learning of the results of this project down the road."

BACKGROUND

• PowerStream has also received funding from Ontario's Smart Grid Fund to offer other innovative pilots to residential customers, including the Home Area Network (HAN) project, Advantage Power Pricing (APP) trial, and the Residential Energy Management (REM) pilot.

• Phase 2 of APP has also received funding from IESO's Conservation Fund, which extended the program until October 31, 2016

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 375,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

ABOUT THE IESO

The IESO manages the province's power system so that Ontarians receive power when and where they need it. It plans and prepares for future electricity needs and works with its partners to guide conservation efforts. On January 1, 2015, the Ontario Power Authority amalgamated with the IESO. For more information, please visit www.ieso.ca.

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