The company will also provide matching funds that totals C$5.8m ($5.63) and will partner with local distribution companies (LDC) to implement the program.
The funds will be utilized for "Consumer Engagement for the Smart Grid" demonstration project of smart energy innovations for up to 1,000 homes across Ontario over 18 months.
The project is expected to commercialize Energate products and technology for broad consumer use in the Smart Grid.
Ontario Energy Minister Chris Bentley said, "Projects like Energate’s will also help develop the talents and skills Ontarians need for the jobs of tomorrow."
The project will build upon Energate’s Consumer-Connected Demand Response platform; it will evaluate solutions which allow consumers to manage and control their home energy use with smart thermostats, mobile smartphone applications, energy dashboards and web portals.
Energate chief executive officer Niraj Bhargava said, "The benefits of Ontario’s smart grid can truly be realized by providing consumers and utilities with the tools they need to easily and effectively manage home energy use."
Cambridge & North Dumfries Hydro, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa, Peterborough Utilities, PowerStream, and Veridian Connections are the LDC which are participating in the project in which additional LDCs may join as well.
Veridian president and CEO Michael Angemeer said, "We are pleased to be working with Energate based on the company’s proven track record of empowering consumers to control their energy consumption with a choice of user-friendly devices and applications."
