New technologies are transforming the way we produce and use electricity. The IESO is at the forefront of this change, driving and guiding the electricity sector’s evolution. See how Ontario’s power system is transforming.
As the number of electric cars, trucks and buses continues to rise, homeowners and businesses consider a switch to electric heating and manufacturers begin the transition from fossil fuel processes to electric alternatives, Ontario’s demand for electricity will increase. This will put additional stress on the provincial electricity system.
To help ensure Ontario’s electricity grid is prepared, the IESO has adjusted its planning scenarios and forecasts to consider any impacts that the shift to electrification may have on the province’s power system. Future plans will reflect those impacts.
Electrification Drivers in Ontario
Electrification is expected to play a pivotal role in helping Ontario meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The number of EVs on the road in Ontario is expected to grow significantly as the technology improves, production increases and costs fall.
As EV adoption continues to grow, so will the demand for EV charging, which presents an opportunity for the electricity system. Pricing structures are being put in place to encourage EV drivers to charge during low-demand periods and vehicle to grid technologies are exploring how the energy stored in EV batteries can be used to support the grid during high-demand periods, turning electric vehicles into mobile energy storage units.
Electric Arc Furnaces
Many steel companies are transitioning from blast furnaces that burn fossil fuels to electric arc furnaces. Steel is one enabler of clean energy solutions and it is an integral part of every net-zero scenario. The transition to electric arc furnaces is positioning Ontario’s steelmakers to meet the growing demand for sustainable steel.
Space and Water Heating
Natural gas is the major source of energy used for heating water and interior spaces in Ontario. As residential customers and commercial operators consider a shift to electric heating, there could be a significant impact on electricity demand across the province.
Efficient Electrification
Currently, Ontario’s electricity system uses natural gas generation to help meet system peaks. As the electrification of the economy continues, the province’s electricity grid will face growing demands, which will lead to the use of more natural gas to generate electricity – and more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector.
However, an increase in GHG emissions from Ontario’s electricity sector would not necessarily lead to an increase in the province’s total GHG emissions. Switching the source of energy used in vehicles and manufacturing processes from fossil fuels to electricity made with natural gas will result in an overall reduction in province-wide GHG emissions.
