As the popularity of electronic vehicles continues to grow, so too does the demand on the City’s power grid. This anticipated upward trend was a major factor considered as part of the City’s new Electric Utility Master Plan, which sets a path for the community’s electricity needs over the next 25 years.
The Plan identifies ways to improve Penticton’s electric distribution system. The largest driver identified was directly related to the Province of British Columbia’s mandate that all new light-duty vehicle sales by the year 2040 must have zero emissions (Zero-Emission Vehicle Act). With greater numbers of EVs, it’s expected more people will be charging their vehicles at home.
Jonathan Palmer and Wesley Nygaard of CIMA+ first presented the draft Master Plan to the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee Meeting during a Nov. 18, 2020 meeting. They discussed the project scope, explained their review of the existing system, methodology and each of the recommendations including associated timelines and costs.
Committee members followed up with a number of questions involving capacity levels for substations, the dynamic in the years to come in adjusting or changing the load on the system, projections for future EVS, urban design aspects of the utility, and more.
The study found that the City’s electric distribution system is reliable and in excellent shape. Some of the more significant projects contained in the Plan for 2021-2025 include:
- Finalize the Diesel Peak Shaving Pilot at Rotary Park.
- Complete the Lawrence Ave Loop: Provide an electrical backup to the Sendero Canyon Development.
- Split load on R33: Construct a new underground supply from Westminster Substation to Gyro Park.
- Targeted replacement of direct buried high voltage cables.
- Huth & Waterford Substation Assessments.
- Study 25kV Voltage Conversion benefits.
- Pursue a utility scale Battery Energy Storage project if grant funding becomes available.
Committee chair Chris Allen compiled the group’s comments into a report for the City’s Electric Utility Manager, Shawn Filice. He commented that committee members agreed the plan was “well put together.”
“First I want to say the Electrical Utility Master Plan report is well done, and money well spent by the City. Kudos again to City management, staff, consultants and decision makers for making our electric utility (CPEU) one of the most reliable around... I have no further comments other than to say how appreciative I am to see such a comprehensive, forward-thinking report that is integrated with the OCP and the province’s CleanBC policies and initiatives,” said Allen, on behalf of the committee.
City Council adopted the plan Dec. 8, 2020, setting the stage for the next five years.
If you wish to read the full report, it’s available for download as part of the Dec. 8, 2020 Council package, at penticton.ca/council.
Behind the Scenes of Council Committees
When it comes to making important decisions that affect the greater community, City Council often relies on recommendations from its advisory committees. Each month, the City will highlight a different committee and the issues discussed.
This post highlights the work conducted by the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee. Current members include Chris Allen (chair), Margaret Holm, Nicolas Stulberg, Randy Boras, Philip Hawkes, Lyndie Hill, Amelia Boultbee, Tracy Van Raes and Anne Hargrave.
The committee meets monthly, providing feedback and opinions on issues to be decided upon by City Council. Their mandate is to make recommendations on matters involving the environment, renewable energy, climate action and recycling.
If you are interested in learning more about applying to become a committee member, visit our Committees page. To read more updates from behind the scenes, go to Committees Updates.