Behind the meter energy storage has been hailed as a game changer for residential and commercial users to shed load, shave peak demand and as a simple backup power solution in the case of an outage. But one Canadian company, illuma-Drive, aims to change the way we think about the smart home and the connected business by combining centrally controlled intelligent LED lighting with energy storage.
The benefits of adding communications intelligence to an electric utility’s network have long been talked. They range from more effective outage systems, better energy conservation results and a more granular level of grid management. BC Hydro is one such integrated electric utility that has already begun to reap the benefits of its smart grid investment.
Emerging and upstart information technology (IT) innovation companies now have another source of venture capital after BDC Capital announced that it is launching its $150 million IT Venture Fund II. Combined with the original fund, BDC’s IT funds now count $300 million.
Security and transportation giant Thales and Survalent Technologies have teamed up to improve technology that will help utilities prepare for a distributed energy future.
Toronto-based CircuitMeter Inc. is now working on submetering technology innovation at the Cisco Innovation Centre. Announced earlier this week, CircuitMeter will join a number of other companies working on innovation for smart cities and smart buildings.