New Brunswick Premier David Alward, NB Power CEO Gaetan Thomas and Siemens Canada president and CEO Robert Hardt were among those in attendance today at the official opening of Siemens’ newest home in Fredericton. The location will house both a smart grid centre of competence (COC) and R&D centre, and is a milestone in Siemens’ multi-year partnership with NB Power announced in the summer of 2012.
“The introduction of smart grid initiatives will provide choices for customers to control their future electricity cost, and will have a positive impact on our rates, on the provincial economy as well as the environment,” said Thomas.
The collaboration between Siemens and NB Power—involving a Smart Grid Reduce and Shift Demand (RASD) modernization plan—will invest in technology and engage customers, offering business and residents more choice and control over their energy consumption, says Siemens. Using Smart Grid Compass methodology, Siemens will support NB Power in developing an energy roadmap for the next decade and beyond.
Design and rollout of smart grid software will take place at the new Fredericton facility, located at 40 Crowther Lane, Knowledge Park 4.
“This centre of competence is a milestone for Siemens from a global perspective, and represents our commitment to furthering R&D and deployment of smart grid technologies in Canada,” said Hardt. “Together with NB Power we’re creating what we are confident will be a global innovation showcase in energy efficiency.”
About 23 employees have been hired at the facility to-date, of which 15 are R&D hires. Invest NB has committed to support the hiring of a total of 25 R&D employees. Siemens’ plans for 2013 include additional hiring, working with NB Power to further develop its RASD plan, and implement base IT systems for smart grid applications, as well as develop partnerships with local universities.