Navigating Canada’s Energy Transition

From wildfires to renewable energy, Canada’s journey toward a future of sustainable clean energy will not be a straight line.

Canadians can be proud that the country is rich in renewable resources, with some estimates reaching as high as 61.7% of total energy production, but significant challenges lie ahead. As extreme weather events become more frequent and infrastructure ages, the pressure to modernize the grid and ensure reliable power for all is mounting. Amidst these challenges, ABB, a century-long partner in Canada’s utilities industry, is stepping up with innovative solutions designed to bolster grid resilience and support the country's ambitious decarbonization goals.

Canada’s electricity grid is evolving to ensure it keeps up with demand for the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs), data centers, and renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. This evolution necessitates a clear strategy for energy transition and a robust infrastructure to support it. Old equipment, shrinking reserves, and severe weather events are making it harder to maintain a stable power flow. Modernizing the grid is essential to prevent outages and boost resilience.

“The need for resilient, modern infrastructure is essential,” says Sandra Pedro, ABB Canada’s Director, Sales & Marketing, for the Utility Market. “We are committed to being a reliable partner in this endeavour, helping utility companies address the current state of the grid.”

Extreme Weather and Grid Resilience

Canada has seen an uptick in extreme weather events, including the most destructive wildfire season in recorded history in 2023. Flooding, too, poses a significant threat, with costs related to intense rainfall and river and coastal flooding estimated at $2.9 billion annually. Strategies such as moving power lines from overhead to underground and using smart data to identify outage-prone areas of the grid are essential for enhancing grid resilience.

ABB's digital substation technology is revolutionizing the way utilities enable electricity to be transmitted at different voltages, securely and reliably. By integrating digital communication systems, real-time data monitoring, and advanced analytics, these substations enhance operational efficiency and reliability.

“Digital substations are a game-changer,” says Pedro. “They allow us to anticipate and react to potential issues before they cause outages, ensuring a more stable power supply, and better pinpoint the source of issues from a central location. For example, we saw immediate improvement in response times this year in Southern Ontario during a major weather event for an energy provider that we delivered a solution to.”

Underground Cable Accessory Solutions

In areas prone to frequent weather events, traditional overhead power lines are susceptible to damage. ABB's underground cable accessory solutions provide a robust alternative, ensuring reliable power delivery even under extreme weather conditions. These underground systems are designed to withstand harsh environments and can be completely submersed, continuing to distribute energy to the community. By moving power lines underground, communities not only enhance their resilience but also benefit from improved aesthetics and reduced maintenance costs. Neighbourhoods in areas of Mississauga, Calgary and Montreal, for example, have incorporated underground infrastructure to significantly reducing the risk of power outages.

ABB’s Elastimold® dielectric switchgear is another innovation helping to modernize Canada’s power grid. This switchgear eliminates the risks associated with above-ground power lines during storms while reducing the environmental impact by avoiding the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). “Our dielectric switchgear is a vital part of creating a more resilient and environmentally friendly grid,” explains Pedro. “It’s a solution that addresses both reliability and sustainability.” One of ABB Canada’s customers in Alberta was the first utility to adopt this solution effectively.

A Critical Juncture in Energy Transition

The future of Canada’s power grid will be a story of technology enabling resilience. The average consumer rarely notices when everything is working at its best, but without modernization even minor impacts will be disruptive, especially with population growth placing increasing pressure on the grid. That said, the future looks bright.

With major infrastructure modernization investments announced such as BC Hydro $36 Billion investment in 10-Years or Hydro-Québec to spend up to $185 billion to increase capacity and reliability, ABB Canada's expertise and solutions will be essential to achieving the country's ambitious decarbonization goals.

“By helping utilities modernize their infrastructure, we are helping Canadians move towards a sustainable and reliable energy future,” concludes Pedro.

For more information on how ABB can support your utility needs, visit ABB Canada Utility Solutions.