AJAX, ON, Jan. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Veridian Connections ("Veridian") is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative microgrid project that will successfully integrate multiple sources of residential clean energy, while maximizing load efficiencies and energy utilization levels for its customers. Opus One Solutions ("Opus One"), a leading software engineering and solutions company, has been selected to develop and deploy the utility's residential microgrid project.

"We are excited to partner with Opus One, and look forward to demonstrating the true operation of the microgrid by managing various energy resources – from minimizing the cost of electricity under time-of-use rates, generating credits through the net metering program and responding to utility signals under demand response programs or an optimized combination of them all," said Veridian President and CEO Michael Angemeer. "This project serves as the ideal opportunity for Veridian to further highlight and enhance the integration of renewables with microgrid operation into Ontario's energy landscape for our customers. It's also the first step in developing a system that will allow all types of microgrids to be added to an integrated system that will provide benefits for Veridian and improve the quality of life for our customers."

The project, expected to commission in Q2 2016, will use Tesla Energy Powerwall battery storage along with residential solar generation and electric vehicle charging, deployed as two residential microgrids connected and managed by Opus One's GridOS™ Microgrid Energy Management System and Veridian's 24/7 grid operations system.  The components include 10 kW of solar generation, 14 kWh lithium-ion battery storage with hybrid inverter; Level 2 and Level 3 electric vehicle charging – integrated with Veridian's SCADA system – along with a customer information display at the utility's corporate headquarters in Ajax; and 7 kWh Tesla Energy Daily Powerwall with solar system and microgrid controls in Pickering. The residential microgrid will be aggregated with Veridian's corporate headquarters and operated as a "Virtual Power Plant".

"Opus One is thrilled to have been selected to partner with Veridian Connections, an innovative utility ‎focused on deploying new technologies and service models that provide increased value to their customers. We look forward to supporting Veridian towards a common vision of the Energy Internet of the future," said Joshua Wong, President and CEO of Opus One Solutions.

Veridian would like to recognize Solera Sustainable Energies Company ("Solera") for their participation in this project and their continued support of the utility's renewable energy work. Veridian, together with Solera and Opus One, will keep customers and stakeholders updated on the status of this project, and will do so using its website and twitter account (@VeridianTweets), newsletters and community information sessions.

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 on Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers' electricity bills through the delivery of innovation conservation 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 communities for unparalleled grid resiliency and value to the electricity customer. (www.opusonesolutions.com)

SOURCE Veridian

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