Distributed Energy Resources
GrandBridge Energy is exploring new technology and energy innovations to connect Distributed Energy Resources to Ontario’s electricity grid. Our commercial and industrial customers have significant power requirements, and we are with you every step of the way to help you connect your Distributed Energy Resource project.
On this page you’ll find the connection process, costs and forms associated with energizing your project.
Feeder Restrictions
GrandBridge Energy is ready to help connect your generation project to the distribution system. A Distributed Energy Resource project follows a multi-step process that requires careful consideration.
Certain generation restrictions apply to Brantford customers who want to connect a generation project greater than 10kW due to Hydro One restrictions on the Brantford Transformer Station Z bus.
The restricted feeders are the 64M22, 64M24, 64M26, 64M28 and 64M30. Contact our Renewable Generation Team for more details about the restricted feeders in Brantford.
For feeders affected by the Hydro One restriction, please see Brantford Transformer Station Z bus restrictions. Note that all even-numbered Brantford Transformer Station feeders are included in the restriction.
Step-by-Step Guide to our Connection Process
*GrandBridge Energy is currently not offering a flexible hosting capacity arrangement for DER connections per OEB DECP section 5.8*
Follow this process to connect your project
Connection Process
| Phase | Description | Forms, Diagrams & Links | Estimated Timeline |
| 1. Preliminary Stage | Provides the information necessary for a proposed project to help complete a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) application (Form B). The Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR) report will contain basic information, including the proposed project point of connection, and how to check for capacity. |
Access the PCIR Form Access PCIR Process Table here |
15 days upon the receipt of a completed Preliminary Consultation Information Request PCIR (Form A) |
| 2. CIA Application | GrandBridge Energy will review the CIA application to check for completeness; technical accuracy and complete an administrative review. If required, GrandBridge Energy could require additional information. The applicant must apply using the latest version of the online Form B CIA application. Reminder: CIA Form B "Section O Submission Checklist". Ensure when submitting your application that all required documentation is included. |
Access Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) Form Review Connection Impact Assessment Instructions |
GrandBridge Energy has 15 days to review the CIA application package, and determine it is correct and deemed complete. Should deemed incomplete, the applicant will have 15 days to resubmit a revised application. After GrandBridge Energy receives the revised application, GrandBridge Energy will have 7 days to review it. Any Applicant that does not meet the timelines, may be required to re-submit a new CIA application and restart the entire review process |
| 3. Project Assessment | After GrandBridge Energy has deemed the CIA application complete, we will proceed with the technical study to determine the impact of the proposed Distributed Energy Resource (DER) connection to GrandBridge Energy's distribution. An estimated cost to connect (Class C +/- 50 %) is also provided as part of the CIA package back to the applicant. Capacity is NOT granted until GrandBridge Energy has completed the CIA and provided an Offer to Connect to the applicant. |
Small Projects:
(a) ≤ 500 kW connected on distribution system voltage < 15 kV.
(b) ≤ 1 MW connected on distribution system voltage ≥ 15 kV • 60 days upon the receipt of a completed CIA application Form B Mid-sized Projects: (a) ≤10 MW but > 500 kW connected on distribution system voltage < 15 kV. (b) > 1 MW but ≤ 10 MW connected on distribution system voltage ≥ 15 kV • 60 days upon the receipt of a completed CIA application Form B • 75 days if project involves a Local Distribution Company (LDC) that is upstream of GrandBridge Energy Large Projects: >10 MW •90 days upon the receipt of a completed CIA application Form B •105 days if project involves a Local Distribution Company (LDC) that is upstream of GrandBridge Energy. |
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| Connection Cost Estimates | CIA package could include a Class C Estimate (Class C +/- 50 %) | GrandBridge Energy has 90 days to complete the Connection Cost Estimate upon the receipt of a CIA payment | |
| 4. CCA Execution | The next stage is to enter into a Connection Cost Agreement (CCA) with GrandBridge Energy. We recommend that you request your CCA as soon as you have made the decision to go ahead with your project. After we have received your CCA request, GrandBridge Energy will prepare the CCA that contains the Terms and Conditions, scope of work and the estimated costs of your project. | Connection Cost Agreement Flowchart | The CIA expires 6 months from the time CIA was sent to the applicant. To clarify, this means that your capacity is removed if you have not executed and paid for your CCA. For projects over 10 MW, the CIA expires 9 months from the time the CIA was sent to the Applicant or 17 months, if transmission upgrades are required. |
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5 (a) Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
Generation Connection Milestones |
After execution of the CCA, GrandBridge Energy will execute the scope of work.
The generation connection process consists of the following 3 milestones: Milestone 1 - Load Connection Milestone 2 - Commissioning • Generation for testing purposes only |
Build and Energization Flowchart |
The project in-service date will be determined at the project kick-off meeting which will take place no later than 45 days after CCA execution.
The applicant must apply for their CA well in advance of being connected to the GrandBridge Energy distribution system. The CA must be executed at least 30 days prior to the connection date. |
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5 (b) Engineering, Procurement, and Construction
Execute Distribution Connection Agreement (DCA) |
Milestone 3 - Completion
• generation for commercial purposes The Connection Agreement (CA) is the Connection Agreement between the Customer and GrandBridge Energy. This Agreement provides the connection Terms and Conditions, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each party. |
Access Generation Account Form | |
| 6. Project Commissioning |
After construction is completed, the applicant completes and submits a COVER to GrandBridge Energy.
Witness testing may be required. Commissioning forms must be signed by a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) registered in Ontario |
Access Simplified COVER |
Proposed in-service energization date should be a minimum of 2 weeks after commissioning.
Records drawings (ie. As-built SLD) submission required within 10 business days of energization |
| 7. Project Close Out (True-Up /True Down) |
At project close out the total allocated cost of connecting the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) facility to the GrandBridge Energy’s distribution system is finalized and GrandBridge Energy will issue a final invoice or credit memorandum to settle the difference. |
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Distribution System Code requires GrandBridge Energy to provide the generator with a final invoice or credit memorandum (true-up/down) within 180 days of the authorization to generate date. This applies only if all aspects of the project scope are completed within 90 days of achieving milestone 3. If there any outstanding items beyond 90 days of the authorization to generate, the final invoice or credit memorandum (true-up/down) will be issued within 90 days of the project scope completion date. |
Connection Impact Assessment Costs
Connection Impact Assessment Fees
| CIA Category | Applicable Project Type / Size | Cost |
| Simplified Small Projects |
All three phase generation projects (including net metering, load displacement and energy storage systems) applications that are: > 10 kW and ≤ 100 kW, connecting to a GrandBridge Energy supply feeder with a voltage of 15 kV or greater. *Note: Single phase generation project applications are not eligible for a simplified CIA* |
$2,205 or $2,491.65 HST included |
| Small Projects ≤ 500 kW |
1) All three phase generation project (including load displacement and energy storage systems and net metering) applications that are: ≤ 500 kW connecting to a GrandBridge Energy supply feeder with a voltage of 15 kV or greater. 2) Single phase generation projects (including net metering) applications connecting to a GrandBridge Energy supply feeder that are greater than 10 kW. Note: Single phase generation project applications cannot exceed 150 kW. |
$3,550 or $4,011.50 HST included *Note: Additional Host Transmitter fees (Hydro One) may apply |
| Mid-size Projects > 500kW and ≤ 10MW |
1) All three phase generation project (including load displacement and energy storage systems and net metering) applications that are: > 500 kW and ≤ 10MW connecting to a GrandBridge Energy supply feeder with a voltage of 15 kV or greater. |
$8,340 or $9,424.20 HST included *Note: Additional Host Transmitter fee (Hydro One) may apply |
| Large Projects > 10MW | 1) All three phase generation project (including load displacement and energy storage systems and net metering) applications that are: > 10MW connecting to a GrandBridge Energy supply feeder with a voltage of 15 kV or greater. |
Contact GrandBridge Energy Generation team Email: [email protected] *Note: Additional Host Transmitter fees (Hydro One) may apply |