Electric vehicle pilot offers Alberta Fortis customers $150 to test power grid
If you're a FortisAlberta customer who owns an electric vehicle (EV), the company is looking for your help with a pilot program that will test the limits of Alberta's electrical infrastructure.
Along with the valuable information, Fortis is also offering eligible participants incentives for their time.
The Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Pilot hopes to answer questions about how the adoption of EVs will affect the province's system, especially with the federal government's recent pledge to fully transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
"We expect to see an increasing number of Albertans driving EVs," Fortis said in a release, adding that thousands of Albertans are already using them.
According to the Alberta Electric System Operator, it's predicted there will be 1.5 million EVs on Alberta roads by 2035.
To participate, customers who drive an EV who live within Fortis' service area need to download Optiwatt, a smart charging app, for free from the Apple or Google Play store.
Only 600 spots are available and anyone who signs up will receive $150 – $50 at signup, and $100 at the conclusion of the pilot program after completing a survey.
Fortis says "additional incentives" will be offered to participants through the Optiwatt app.
"Rewards are provided through the Optiwatt app and can be redeemed through Paypal, Zelle, Stripe and digital gift cards," Fortis said.
It's the first pilot of its kind in rural Alberta, Fortis says, and also reflects the company's commitment to a resilient power grid.
"The data gathered will help us understand vehicle charging requirements of our customers," said Fortis' vice-president of engineering Curtis Eck in a statement.
"It will also demonstrate the opportunity for active managed charging to mitigate grid impacts, reduce carbon impacts and save customers money – costs that directly impact the transmission and distribution fees on Alberta utility bills."
The pilot program began in January and will end on Dec. 31.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.