Enbridge Gas has received support to evaluate non-pipeline alternatives to reduce natural gas demand during peak periods.
Sarnia council endorsed the utility's Southern Lake Huron Integrated Resource Planning [IRP] Pilot Project Monday.
Southwest Region Director of Operations Andrea Seguin told council the IRP will evaluate alternatives to defer or avoid building a traditional large pipeline project to meet system needs.
"IRP is meant to run alongside our traditional customer connection and community expansion efforts, as we work with policy makers and a range of stakeholders to map out Ontario's energy future," said Seguin.
Enbridge said the City of Sarnia and Town of Plympton-Wyoming were identified as areas eligible for IRP alternatives to meet growing natural gas demand.
"IRP alternatives, or non-pipeline alternatives, can include things like demand side alternatives, which involve reducing or shifting customer consumption, or supply side alternatives, such as compressed natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen," Seguin said.
Seguin said the alternatives can be implemented individually, or in combination, to meet the system need, and cost effectively while reliably supporting customer demand.
"The key focus of these pilots will be to explore and better understand two key demand side IRP alternatives, specifically enhanced targeted energy efficiency (ETEE) and demand response (DR) programs," she said.
ETEE would offer efficiency programs to Enbridge customers.
"Such as, providing incentives toward energy efficiency equipment to homeowners and businesses, that will reduce the peak period of natural gas demand in that area." Seguin said.
DR involves offering a program that would primarily target residential customers.
"And provides incentives to participants to lower their thermostats during peak times, to shift load off peak period gas demand. Supply side IRP alternatives like CNG [compressed natural gas] is also considered in the pilot scope, but will be leveraged as a backup solution to ensure Enbridge Gas can reliably meet any system demand requirements, while the demand side IRP's are being piloted," said Seguin.
Seguin said there was interest in options available to agricultural customers at a recent open house at the Camlachie Community Centre.
"Presentation materials from the open houses and regional webinars are available on our website. Enbridge Gas does plan to return to the community after approval of the IRP pilot application to consult and market detailed program information and encourage participation in our pilot," she said.
A letter from Sarnia council supporting the project will be included in the utility's application to the Ontario Energy Board.
For more information about the pilot, click here.