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Local automation and manufacturing representatives are welcoming the Ontario government’s latest financial push for electric vehicles.
The province is offering a new funding partnership to help develop and commercialize products that will strengthen the province’s electrical infrastructure and the advanced charging and vehicle-to-grid sectors.
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Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be eligible for up to $1 million in partnership funding as the province pushes for solutions to support the EV transition.
“Something has to be done to commit to strengthening, expanding and fortifying the electric grid to have more power if we’re all going to have an EV,” said Automate Canada chair Dave Fortin.
“Anything they can do to encourage businesses developing the infrastructure and the components needed to connect to power is admirable. We’re going to need all kinds of solutions.”
The funding will flow through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, which includes Windsor as one of its seven regional technology sites.
The province intends to use the Advanced Charging and V2G Stream program to create a domestic solution to the challenges of creating an integrated charging network.
Companies will partner to develop, test and commercialize new technologies in the areas of wireless charging, high-speed charging, bi-directional charging, dynamic charging and smart charging, energy demand, grid management, use of renewable energy with charging infrastructure and energy storage and transmission.
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“Our new Advanced Charging and V2G Stream will bring together innovators across all corners of the province to develop and deploy Ontario-made solutions that will not only scale up our province’s readiness for electric vehicles on the road, but transform our future energy capacity and ability to support the most significant mobility revolution for years to come,” said OVIN head Raed Kadri.
The funding formula will see the government partner with business, utilities, municipalities, universities, non-profits and Indigenous organizations using a two-to-one ratio for funding with the province providing the lower amount. Projects can be funded for up to 24 months.
The program goes live in April and applications and more information are available on the OVIN website at: www.ovinhub.ca/programs/rd-partnership-fund-advanced-charging-and-vehicle-to-grid-v2g-stream.
“I think there are some local companies that will be interested in this program,” said Harbour Technologies co-owner Andrew Glover, whose firm is involved in production and automation for the automotive, atomic power and healthcare sectors.
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“Companies already operating in the electric sector, making panels and components might see some opportunities. It’s a very technical area.
“For us, it would be more about being involved on the manufacturing side.”
However, Glover sees the program indirectly creating opportunity for his firm with new technologies and innovations facilitating the EV transition and producing a surge in demand for clean power.
Harbour Technologies is involved in every nuclear reactor refurbishment in Ontario and several around the world. The company is also involved in the move to small modular reactors that will be important to filling gaps in the grid, especially in remote areas.
“Balancing the flow in and out of the electrical system at all times is going to be critical,” Glover said.
“There’ll be a tremendous opportunity for us at the top end of the grid.
“Canada is the leader in the world for systems producing power in remote areas. It’s the renaissance of nuclear power because it’s reliable and clean.
“We need that clean energy, otherwise you’re using natural gas and coal, like in the U.S., to produce the power for electric vehicles.”
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