CITYnews halifax : How Atlantic provinces could implement a coordinated power grid in the face of blackouts

CITYnews halifax / By Emma Amodio

The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) released a report on Thursday with a plan on how Atlantic provinces could implement a coordinated power grid.

“As Atlantic Canadians, we take pride in our willingness to help our friends and neighbors when the power goes out,” said Thomas Arnason McNeil, senior energy coordinator with the EAC. “But when it comes to planning and operation of our power grid, our decision makers have put up barriers to trade and collaboration between provinces. We need to start helping each other during emergencies and working together to make sure our electricity is reliable and cheap.”

This power grid would help facilitate collaboration across provinces in the region, and the report states Atlantic Canada would not be “starting from scratch,” as their models will follow those that exist in New England, the central United States and California.

The report, produced by Dusky Energy + Climate Partners, offers recommendations for implementing the creation of a coordinated power grid, which would help reliability, lowering costs and increasing renewable energy integration.

According to a release, the report comes at a pivotal moment for eastern Canada, as a review of New Brunswick power back in April , recommended “an immediate discussion regarding the potential establishment or sharing of responsibilities of a Maritime Independent System Operator.”

Since then, The Government of New Brunswick said they are committed to working with other Maritime provinces, while P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz said he has been in talks with both New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston about a regional system operator. Lantz also said he has been in contact with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey regarding the New England Systems Operator, which was referenced in the report as a successful example.

“For some regions like New England, the idea of working together to improve grid reliability started in the 1970s, or even as far back as the 1940s in the central U.S. In California, they’ve had to grapple with the need to collaborate to improve reliability as they transition to intermittent renewable energy,” Arnason McNeil said.

He said Atlantic Canada has fallen behind due to the provinces’ unwillingness to work together, meaning they have less power reliability and higher electric costs.

The release said this report identifies new pathways for Atlantic Canada in planning and operating electricity grids, an approach grounded in the spirit of resilience and regional pride that their communities are known for.