Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

The continued adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) plays an important role in grid moderation and sustainability.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are electricity supply or demand resources that connect to the electricity grid. DERs can include solar installations, energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and other controllable loads in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. There are a few options available to connect to the electricity grid, including Net Metering, Load Displacement and Backup Generation.

Net Metering allows you to generate electricity for your own use through a renewable source such as wind, water, solar radiation or agricultural biomass. The Net Metering program allows any excess electricity generated to the grid to accumulate credits towards your energy costs. 

Load Displacement allows you to generate electricity to offset your business’ existing power demand. The total generation output must be less than the load consumption to ensure zero net power output into the utility grid. Any excess generation will not be credited to your business.

Another option is to install a backup generator to provide emergency backup power to your business. These generators are not to be operated in parallel with the utility grid, and will only provide energy to your business when the local electricity grid is unavailable. The transition from utility source to the backup generator can be an open transition (no parallel) or momentary closed transition (<100 ms parallel).

The Feed In Tariff (FIT) and microFIT Programs are legacy programs that were introduced to support the adoption of renewable electricity projects at a distributed level. FIT/microFIT programs are no longer available. Generators who hold legacy FIT/microFIT contracts are guaranteed prices for energy output over a 20-year term.

FIT/microFIT programs are no longer available, however, owners of existing installations shall operate and maintain their installations as per the connection agreements & contracts in place and any changes shall be communicated with ERTH Power.  If an existing contract reaches its end, you have the option to apply again through the Net Metering program.

Visit the IESO website for more information on legacy FIT and microFIT programs and transferring ownership.