Kiwi Power is delighted to have been named as a finalist in the Canada UK Power Forward Challenge as part of a team comprising Lakeland Holding Inc, Opus One Solutions, ATCO, Ryerson University, Georgian College and CHEC Group.
With increasing demands and new energy sources powering our electricity systems, we need to transform how we make and use energy. This includes modernizing our traditional power grids to be more digitally networked, flexible and resilient. Canada and the UK are committed to supporting clean energy technologies that will bring cleaner, renewable energy onto a modernized electricity grid.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, and the UK’s Minister of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Honourable Chris Skidmore, today announced the seven finalist teams of the Canada–UK Power Forward Challenge. A total of £6 million ( $9 million) is available for finalists in each country. Each finalist team is made up of Canadian and UK partners and is eligible to receive up to £1.8 million ($3 million) to start building its smart energy systems solution.
In March 2021, a $1-million grand prize will be awarded to the team with the highest-performing solution.
The finalist teams developing projects in Canada are:
- London Hydro with Electron, ENMAX, the University of Western Ontario, Navigant and Gowlings WLG
- Lakeland Holding Inc. with Opus One Solutions, Kiwi Power, ATCO, Ryerson University, Georgian College and CHEC Group
- Equilibrium Engineering with StorTera, Dalhousie University and Berwick Municipal Electric Commission
The finalist teams developing projects in the U.K. are:
- Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks with Opus One Solutions, Hydro Ottawa, Open Grid Systems, the University of Cambridge and Energy Policy Research Group
- UNIT9 Ltd. with Simptek Canada Inc., Electronic Products and Technology, Avison Young, UCL Energy Institute, Carbon Smart and the University of Sheffield
- Qbots Energy with ICONIC Electric and Controls, Lanner Electronics, Energy Systems Catapult, Bruntwood Ltd., Manchester Metropolitan University, Hildebrand and Penso Power
- Scene Connect Ltd. with Enbala, Locogen Limited and Mentone Energy Consulting Limited
Launched in October 2018, Power Forward challenged Canadian and UK innovators to join forces and accelerate breakthrough innovations that harness different energy resources for modernized power grids. The seven finalist teams were selected from a group of 44 project proposals received in a highly competitive process. They all pitched their solutions to a panel of expert judges representing grid operators, corporates, investors and governments at two pitch events held in Glasgow in May 2019 and in Ottawa in early June 2019.
“Canada and the United Kingdom are investing in better electricity systems. This work will build cleaner, safer, better-connected grids that will also create well-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians. I want to congratulate the Challenge finalists who are growing the economy and creating a cleaner energy future for us all.” Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
“Innovations like electric vehicles, smart devices and batteries are changing the way we think about our energy grid. The U.K. and Canada are jump-starting our clean energy future by developing global technologies to make the electricity grid smarter and faster. These four projects will help to revolutionise the way we access clean, flexible and reliable energy, channelling the benefits of clean growth as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.” Chris Skidmore, UK’s Minister of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy