Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Why Fort Frances wants to build an integrated microgrid to deliver its electricity

Why Fort Frances wants to build an integrated microgrid to deliver its electricity

CBC
Thursday, March 2, 2023 12:24 PM GMT

When the power goes out in Fort Frances, Ont., the community may be left in the dark for hours.

The hydro system's unreliability — caused by its location on the provincial power grid — has prompted the town to seek a creative solution: its own self-contained electricity grid with its own source of power, known as a microgrid. 

Located more than 340 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ont., on the border of Minnesota, Fort Frances gets its power from a single supply point on Ontario's grid. 

"Sometimes, it's inevitable that we have to have like a six- to eight-hour power outage while equipment is being worked on, and that is no longer acceptable to many of our customers," said Joerg Ruppenstein, president and chief executive officer of Fort Frances Power Corporation.

While Ontario's electrical grid serves the entire province, a microgrid is contained within a community. Fort Frances hopes to develop an integrated, community-based electric microgrid system that can operate in two modes:

The ability to switch between modes allows flexibility. If a storm knocks down a line, the community will still have power.

The town has been given grant funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) for the project. On Monday night, council voted to grant a request for proposal to Siemens Canada Limited to conduct a feasibility study into a microgrid system.

The study, anticipated to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024, will assess what an integrated community-based microgrid system could look like in the town of just over 7,000 people, said Faisal Anwar, chief administrative officer of Fort Frances. A timeline for construction will be determined after that. 

The community is still reeling from the closure of the Resolute Forest Products pulp and paper mill in 2014 and faces a declining population, said Ruppenstein. It's hoped the microgrid system will help attract new industry to replace those lost workers and jobs. 

WATCH | How sky-high electricty prices are impacting a First Nation in northwestern Ontario: 

Fort Frances Power Corporation offers the lowest electricity rates for residential and small business customers in Ontario, according to Ruppenstein, which is because it's one of the last non-profit utility providers in Ontario.

This gives the town a competitive advantage.

"If we were conceivably to attract a larger industrial player that would consume a considerable amount of energy, it would result in reduced rates for everyone…we're the only utility really in Ontario that can offer that model," Ruppenstein said.

The project can also incorporate renewable energy like solar or wind power into the microgrid system, and support the growth of electric vehicles, he said. Many residents fill their gas tanks in Minnesota because it's cheaper, but Fort Frances has the potential to become a hub for electric vehicle charging.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Crumbling Montreal building slated for demolition forces 2nd evacuation this year

Having just moved into his new apartment in June, Charles Emond had barely finished unpacking his belongings when he was told by the Montreal fire department last Friday to pack up and get out. 

Research project at Churchill facility raises alarm about potential impact of oil spill in Arctic waters

A natural remedy that has previously helped counter oil spills will be too slow to "do any useful work" if there's a spill in the Canadian Arctic, increasing chances of "catastrophic" harm, researchers say.

Unable to secure housing, man living out of car says he's getting unspoken message 'go back to dealing drugs

Sometimes the thought goes through Jason Hofley's mind that it would be easier to go back to drug dealing. Before he was busted for charges that included firearms and possession of drugs a few years ago, he had his children with him. 

50 years after Jaws, will B.C. ever see more great white sharks?

Fifty years after Steven Spielberg's Jaws set the template for the Hollywood summer blockbuster movie, the spectre of a great white shark attack still looms over anyone who goes swimming in the sea.

Parkdale Avenue intersection closes for LRT-related work as Metrolinx gears up construction

Construction related to Hamilton's Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will see the full closure of a major downtown intersection for three days next week. 

Man charged with 1st-degree murder after missing woman found dead off Highway 401

A 60-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman who was reported missing was found dead near Highway 401 in Pickering days later, Toronto police say. 

'It's never anything bad': Manager of 150-year-old P.E.I. lighthouse shares 'haunting' stories

CBC's Island Morning is launching a new summer feature, speaking to different tour guides around Prince Edward Island about the tours they give and why you should take them. 

Half of requests for complex dental work are being rejected under national insurance plan

As federal dental care expands to cover most uninsured Canadians, providers say some procedures are being bogged down by paperwork and processing delays.

A farmer protested policy at a Danielle Smith town hall. 5 days later, it was paused

Chad Anderson had travelled 90 minutes from his farm near Cremona, Alta., to bend the premier's ear, but it was starting to look futile.

Vaccination, immunity and records: Your questions on measles, answered

Canada continues to see an alarming rise in measles cases in 2025.

Toronto risks losing $30M in federal funding after vote against sixplexes citywide

The City of Toronto is at risk of losing $30 million in federal housing funding after city council voted last month against allowing sixplexes citywide, a key condition of its deal with Ottawa.

Thousands of residents lose power in Happy Valley-Goose Bay outage

Residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay are experiencing a power outage, after teams witnessed arcing on a piece of equipment, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro spokesperson Jill Pitcher said.

Historic Nova Scotia ship that led to wave of Scottish immigrants relaunched

A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia more than 250 years ago was relaunched Saturday with a mighty splash into Pictou harbour.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
The world's cultures were on display at London's Multicultural Festival. Take a look!

Downtown London was filled with people displaying their traditions, cuisine, as well as song and dance at the the city's annual multicultural festival this weekend. 

Dozens more alleged victims come forward as Brampton man accused in real estate fraud faces new charges

A Brampton man accused of defrauding more than a dozen would-be homeowners is now facing additional criminal charges, while a civil lawyer says dozens more alleged victims have recently come forward claiming they were also defrauded. 

3 of 4 Island Lake communities under states of emergency due to Manitoba wildfires

Two more communities in Manitoba's Island Lake region are preparing to evacuate vulnerable residents away from wildfires spreading out of control around them.

Transportation minister says Alberta is 'actively reviewing' bike lanes

Alberta's provincial government is "actively reviewing" bike lanes that draw the ire of local residents.

'We're having nightmares:' Family of teen boy fatally stabbed in Toronto's east end speaks out

The family of a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in the city's east end last weekend said he was a "good boy" who had big dreams for his future. 

Food left over from Cavendish Beach Music Festival donated to non-profits

What happens to the food left over from the Cavendish Beach Music Festival?

Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm watch for parts of the GTA as heat warning continues

Environment Canada has placed parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) under a severe thunderstorm watch on Sunday as a heat warning continues for the region.

N.W.T. negotiating terms with Alta. to be better informed about its waterways for over a year

More than a year since the Northwest Territories asked Alberta to keep it better informed about spills that could impact its water, the province and territory still haven't agreed on what that will mean. 

He went missing on Vancouver Island. A whistle and a makeshift sledge got him home

Dallin Beaumier did everything right. 

Former N.L. lighthouse keeper's tale gets comic book treatment in the U.S.

A lighthouse keeper's memoir has gotten the comic book treatment with a new series in a massive newspaper south of the border.

Q&A: Organizer talks planning Halifax Pride in light of rising discrimination, pulled funding

Halifax Pride kicks off next week and dozens of events are scheduled across the city, including the Pride parade on Saturday.

Monarch butterfly sculptures on Fredericton bridge send environmental message

Thirty delicately carved monarch butterflies greet walkers and cyclists who cross Fredericton's Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, which spans the Saint John River.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us