Backup Power

BACKUP POWER IN GRID-CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

There are a few types of backup power to help keep essential services running during power outages:

backuppower

Community Backup Power

Used when transmission lines stop working for a long time.

  • Powered by a Diesel Generation Station (DGS) already in the community.
  • Not all communities have this backup. Some DGS are being upgraded to work as backup in the future.
  • Used during planned outages (like maintenance) or unplanned outages (like storms or equipment failure).
  • It is not expected or designed to provide instant power or provide 100% reliability.
  • Turning on backup power is coordinated carefully between Watay, Hydro One Networks and Hydro One Remotes to ensure worker safety and prevent damage to equipment.
  • Figuring out the cause of an outage can take time. Some issues can be fixed remotely.
  • If the outage is expected to be long, the local operator starts the DGS under direction and supervision from Hydro One Remotes.
  • Community Backup Power is not available for any outage that affects the local distribution system (lines in the community). A crew will be sent, if needed, to fix that type of outage.
  • Once power returns to the transmission line, a safe DGS shutdown is again coordinated between Watay, Hydro One Networks and Hydro One Remotes. A short outage may happen during the switch back to grid-power.
  • Most homes in Ontario don't have full community backup because transmission lines are usually very reliable.  Long-term, transmission system reliability will influence the need for community backup power.

 

Critical Asset Backup Power

Many communities have this for important buildings like:

  • Water plants
  • Pump or lift stations
  • Nursing stations

 

When communities have Critical Asset Backup Power, these important buildings have their own stand-alone generators to keep things running during outages which are owned and managed by the community.

  • Helps keep people safe and services working.
  • Must be set up properly, following safety rules and protecting workers.
  • Can be used during local outages or when community backup is not available.

 

Individual Portable Generators

Some residential customers have individually owned portable generators as additional back-up power, often to support critical medical equipment such as a dialysis machine or a respirator.   

 

The easiest method is with a GenerLink™  (https://generlink.ca/).  It is an approved device that goes between the meter and the meter base on your home, allowing a generator to be plugged in. 

 

The GenerLink must be installed by a qualified electrician, with Hydro One Remotes providing a disconnect/reconnect onsite with your electrician.  We remove the meter, your electrician installs the GenerLink, then we reinstall the meter.

 

To book an appointment, please reach out to our Customer Service team.

 

 

Questions?

If you would like more information, please contact our Customer Service team at ph. 1.888.825.8707 or email RemotesCustomerService@HydroOne.com.

 


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