Saint John Energy, New Brunswick’s second-largest utility after NB Power, has inked a deal to pilot a suite of smart water heating and energy forecasting technology developed by a Norwegian consortium.

The technology was developed by Hokksund, Norway-based internet-of-things specialist OSO Energy, AI startup Kongsberg Digital and Epos Consulting. The pilot project will see Saint John Energy install OSO Charge water heaters throughout its grid and in a handful of customers’ homes.

In a press release, Saint John Energy said the OSO Charge heaters are “forecastable, interactive, and offer a secure way to manage and balance energy.”

Kongsberg Digital, meanwhile, is developing software that Saint John Energy will use to predict spikes in electricity demand — an important metric for utilities because spikes in demand can strain electrical grids and increase greenhouse gas emissions.

And Epos Consulting is tasked with assessing the success of the project and performing a cost-benefit analysis on a potential broader rollout.

"Forging these partnerships with innovation leaders in Norway, a country aggressively combatting climate change, is a tremendous opportunity to advance grid technology and consumer products designed for a sustainable future – not only for our community but around the globe," said Saint John Energy CEO Ryan Mitchell in a press release.

Funding for the pilot project is coming from both the Canadian and Norwegian governments, as well as the research and development consortium, with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency spending $200,000, Innovation Norway spending $501,000, OSO Energy spending $345,000, Kongsberg spending $126,000,and Epos $48,000 and Saint John Energy $30,000.