Eaton Wins Sustainability Award for Microgrid Project Helping Energize First Nations Community in Canada

March 2, 2023

microgrid

Intelligent power management company Eaton received the 2022 “Social & Sustainability” award from the electrical and automation industry association Electro-Federation Canada (EFC). The company was recognized for its innovation helping AMP Energy and the remote Xeni Gwet’in indigenous community develop a micro grid to secure a reliable source of sustainable, affordable power.

“This project successfully demonstrates the potential for intelligent microgrid systems to help unlock a more equitable, affordable and low-carbon energy future,” said Steve Boccadoro, president of Eaton in Canada. “The combined expertise and determination of our respective organizations allowed us to overcome significant geographical and technical barriers to establish a powerful precedent in our world’s journey toward a more sustainable tomorrow.”

About the Microgrid

Built in collaboration with Xeni Gwet’in representatives and the project developer Amp Energy, the microgrid provides electric power 62 miles away from the nearest utility grid in Nemiah Valley, an unincorporated ranching community and First Nation reserve in British Columbia, Canada. The microgrid utilizes 250 kilowatts (kw) of solar photovoltaics (PV) capacity, 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy storage along with Eaton’s intelligent microgrid controls to help sustainably power the community of more than 70 homes.

The grid is expected to reduce the community’s reliance on fossil fuels by 60% while displacing 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is roughly equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of more than 900 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.

Eaton also provided electrical distribution equipment and engineering services to support the project. Additionally, the company is working with other First Nations communities across Canada to implement similar solutions for sustainable electrification and energy resilience. Learn more about Eaton’s microgrid capabilities.

Source

Related Articles



Editor’s Pick: Featured Article

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s scalable engineering software, u-control 2000, adapts individually to your requirements. And, the u-control is powerful, compact and fully compatible with Weidmüller’s I/O system u-remote. This article looks at what makes u-control the heart of your automation.

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are one of the main components of any automated system. A typical control system has inputs, outputs, controllers (i.e., PLCs), and some type of human interaction with the system, a human machine interface (HMI), for example.

Read More



Latest Articles

  • Why Use Low-Consumption Contactors in Your Motor Control Systems?

    April 15, 2025 By Tiffany Moore Organizations are under more pressure than ever to improve sustainability metrics. How can you help them succeed — and win more business in the process?    Building motor control systems with more sustainable parts is one piece of the puzzle. Control panel builders, system integrators, and design firms have an… Read More…

  • The Long Cable Run Dilemma: Where Should You Install the VFD?

    April 15, 2025 By Damien Herwegh Sophia, a dedicated electrical engineer in a large industrial complex, has been tasked with installing a drive system where the motor is located hundreds of meters away from the control room. Like many engineers before her, she considers the usual question: Should I place the drive in the electrical… Read More…