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Types of DERs
We frequently see people use their distributed energy resources as emergency back-up generators or to join our net metering, non-exporting or stand-alone generation programs.
Emergency back-up generators
Only use a generator when you can’t access the local grid, like during a prolonged power outage. It will keep you connected when it matters most. You’ll find a variety of generators on the market, so we encourage you to do your research before you buy. For more information, check out our blog.
To learn how to connect your generator, refer to our standard ECG0002 Technical Guideline For Customer Owned Standby Generation.
If your generator can send electricity to the grid, it has to meet the requirements listed in ECG0006: Distributed Energy Resource Technical Requirement.
Net metering programs
Our net metering program allows you to generate and use your own electricity. As a net metering customer, you’ll rely less on our supply, which means you’ll save more on your bill. What’s more, you’ll have the option to send energy to the grid for a non-cash credit. To view a net metering bill, click here.
To qualify for our net metering program, you have to use a Renewable Energy Technology (RET) to generate power. RETs produce electricity from clean sources, including water, solar and agricultural biomass. Please note: You can pair an RET with an energy storage system to form a net-metering installation as energy storage systems are considered sources that generate electricity when discharging. But an energy storage system alone does not qualify for the net-metering program.
Program requirements:
- The energy source must be renewable as defined in our Conditions of Service.
- The grid must have capacity for your RET.
- Your project must pass our assessment and approvals.
- Your project must pass the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority’s requirements.
References:
Customer Choice for net metering customers
To switch between rate plans, contact us. You can do this in a few different ways:
ONLINE: You can change your rate plan online through our MyAccount customer portal. This is the easiest way to submit your request.
BY EMAIL: Fill out a rate selection request and attach it to our Contact Us form.
You can also contact us in the following ways:
- Through our Live Chat support feature
- Log in to MyAccount to use this feature at hydroottawa.com/myaccount
- Chat service hours: Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Complete our online Contact Us form
- Contact us by phone
- Our team can help you complete your form over the phone.
- Call 613 738-6400, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- BY MAIL: You can print the completed form and mail it to us. If you can’t print the form, let us know, and we’ll send you a copy.
Hydro Ottawa
PO Box 8700
Ottawa, ON K1G 3S4
Attn: Customer Service – Rate Selection Form
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) sets new electricity rates under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) annually in November. To learn more about the RPP rate setting, refer to the OEB’s electricity rates page.
If you’ve opted for net metering where the generator is self-owned, this is called “self-net metering”. You will receive a non-cash credit for any kilowatt hours of energy that you generate but do not use, which are then exported back into the local electricity grid. This credit will appear on your electricity bill as a line item noted as ‘Generation Credit Balance’. This credit cannot be redeemed for cash or as payment for other services, and any credit remaining after 12 months of its occurrence expires.
You don’t need your own equipment to join our net metering program. Third-party net metering offers you all of the program’s benefits but allows you to lease, rent, finance or power purchase an RET. You’ll still choose the tiered rate that works for you. And if you generate extra power, you’ll still have the option to send it to the grid for a credit on your bill. Please note: You can’t redeem the credit for cash or as payment for other services, and it expires after 12 months.
On July 1, 2022, the OEB announced that customers could now lease, rent, finance or power purchase renewable generation equipment.
Around this time, they introduced measures to protect customers who have electricity retail contracts and third-party net metering arrangements. They also released educational material to help consumers make informed decisions.
If you have a contract with a licensed electricity retailer, reach out to them before you make an arrangement with us. Some retailers don’t allow their customers to join net metering programs, so we’ll need their confirmation before we start working on your project.
You can enroll with a retailer if you’re an existing net metering customer. But you’ll have to confirm that the contract allows you to remain in our program.
Non-exporting generation
If you’d prefer to generate electricity exclusively for your own use, you can join our non-exporting generation program. As a member of this program, you’ll still save money on your bill, but you won’t receive any credits.
Please note: You’ll need revenue grade metering to measure your non-exporting DER’s production if its capacity meets or exceeds 500 kilowatts (kW).
Requirements:
- Any energy source may be used.
- The grid must have capacity for your DER.
- Your project must pass our assessment and approvals.
- Your project must pass the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority’s requirements.
References:
- OEB - Retail Settlement Code
- OEB - Distribution System Code
- OEB - Distributed Energy Resource Connection Procedures
- Conditions of service
- Ontario Electrical Safety Authority requirements
- City of Ottawa by-law and building code requirements
To learn more about the non-exporting standby charge, visit our DER connection process page.
Stand-alone generation
If you’d like to send all of the electricity you produce to the grid, you can join our stand-alone generation program. As a member of this program, you’ll receive compensation for every kW that you send to us. Please note: To become a stand-alone generation customer, you’ll need a dedicated electrical service. That means you’ll have to meet additional requirements for your metering, monitoring, control and protection.
Requirements:
- Any energy source may be used
- The grid must have capacity for your DER.
- Your project must pass our assessment and approvals.
- You must get a generator license from the OEB.
- In some cases, you may need a contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
- Your project must pass the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority’s requirements.
- You must register for an HST account.
- Your project must pass the City of Ottawa’s requirements (zoning, building, by-law, etc.).
References:
- IESO - Market Rules (especially Chapter 4 Connections Process), SIA process (if applicable), energy or services procurement programs.
- OEB - generator license conditions
- OEB - Retail Settlement Code
- OEB - Distribution System Code
- OEB - Distributed Energy Resource Connection Procedures
- Canada Revenue Agency for registering a business, HST registration, or tax incentives
- Hydro Ottawa Conditions of Service
- Ontario Electrical Safety Authority requirements
- City of Ottawa by-law and building code requirements
Please note: We’ve only listed our conditions on this page, but you’ll work with other agencies during the connection process, and you should understand and comply with their requirements, too. You’ll find most of these organizations in our references.
If you have permanently connected DER equipment, such as an emergency back-up generator, you’ll have to write to us and list the equipment’s intended use, location and nameplate capacity output. For more information, refer to ECG0006: Distributed Energy Resource Technical Requirements.