The Government of Ontario is aiming to provide electricity consumers with greater access to information about their energy consumption and encourage the creation of new, innovative tools for consumers to help conserve energy and save on electricity costs.
“The Ontario Green Button initiative will enable each of us to have better access to information on our own energy use and will help families make choices to save energy and money,” said Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy.
A working group led by the province and the MaRS Discovery District will explore an Ontario Green Button initiative that would use innovative smart grid technology to give families and businesses direct, timely access to their own energy data through a secure download from their utility’s website.
“Through our working group to increase access to energy data, MaRS and the Ministry of Energy are opening the doors to innovative, new solutions that will drive conservation and consumer energy literacy, while positioning Ontario at the forefront of the global convergence of IT and energy,” said Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District.
A standard data format for Ontario’s utilities would also encourage app developers to create new tools to help Ontarians manage their energy use from their computers and smart devices.
Helping Ontarians conserve energy while managing their electricity costs is part of the provincial government’s plan to modernize the province’s electricity infrastructure, ensure clean air for families and keep the lights on in homes and businesses across the province.
For more information on the government’s energy plan, visit www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/ltep/.
