Milton Hydro Advances Grid Modernization with New Safegrid Intelligent Monitoring Pilot
Milton Hydro has launched a two-year pilot program to test G&W Electric’s Safegrid Intelligent Grid System (IGS) sensor technology across select areas of its electricity distribution network. The initiative will evaluate how predictive outage management, advanced monitoring, and fault detection tools can improve reliability and operational efficiency.
The pilot uses wireless sensors and cloud-based analytics to provide real-time insight into grid conditions. This enhanced visibility can help identify and locate faults faster, particularly those that are difficult to detect with conventional methods, supporting quicker response times and reduced outage impacts. Milton Hydro will also assess the technology’s predictive monitoring capabilities, which can identify emerging issues before they escalate into equipment failures, helping to improve system resilience and support safer operations.
“We are committed to continuously improving the reliability and resilience of our system,” said Troy Hare, President and CEO of Milton Hydro. “The Safegrid Intelligent Grid System is designed to strengthen situational awareness by delivering precise, actionable data from the field. For Milton Hydro, the pilot also supports our mandate to modernize the distribution system and adopt smarter, data-driven tools.”
In addition to deploying 20+ sensors, the pilot includes technology highlighting improved fault location accuracy, supporting power and communications hardware, and the GridGuardian cloud platform for real-time monitoring, alerts, and predictive analytics. Launched in January of 2026, the pilot will be conducted on selected circuits within Milton Hydro’s service territory, allowing the utility to assess performance under different operating conditions. Insights from the program will help determine the potential for future deployment.
The pilot will also evaluate the opportunity for several operational benefits. Safegrid technology has the potential to significantly reduce fault location times, helping crews identify and respond to issues more efficiently while minimizing the duration and impact of unplanned outages. Improved visibility into network conditions may also support more efficient resource deployment and operational planning. In addition, predictive monitoring capabilities can help identify conditions that may contribute to equipment failures or other system risks, enhancing both employee safety and system resilience. The pilot will further assess the scalability of the technology and its potential application across a broader range of distribution network assets.
“Pilots like this allow us to move beyond theory and evaluate technology based on measurable results,” said Hassan Syed, Vice President, Distribution Services. “As we monitor the system over the next two years, we'll be focused on understanding the data, assessing performance across different operating conditions, and determining where these technologies can create lasting operational value for our organization. We'll be evaluating key metrics related to fault detection, restoration efforts, reliability performance, predictive fault identification, and resource utilization to better understand how these tools can support the future evolution of our distribution system.”
More than just a technology and predictive analytics trial, the Safegrid pilot is an investment in learning and continuous improvement. The results will help Milton Hydro establish how intelligent grid technologies can be integrated into future operations, supporting strategic decisions that enhance reliability, operational performance, and long-term value for customers and the community.