Ontario Energy Board
Ontario Energy Board’s Innovation Sandbox Fosters Collaboration, Innovation and Transparency
About the Art
Constructivism as an art form was a reflection of modern industrial society and urban space, an industrial assemblage of shapes in often primary colours. Inspired by children’s shapes games that require finding the right shape to slot into place, this artwork uses geometric forms to represent regulatory adherence. The pieces harmonize and “fit” together to compose the structure of the design.
Original artwork by Aedán Crooke of Surface Impression. No AI was used in the creation of these original artworks.
The Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Innovation Sandbox creates engagement opportunities to drive energy sector innovation and enhances public access to details about leading-edge ideas explored in the sector.
Launched in January 2019 as the first regulatory sandbox in Canada’s energy sector, the Innovation Sandbox supports pilot projects testing new services and business models in Ontario’s electricity and natural gas industries. It provides information to innovators with questions about the OEB’s regulatory framework and how it applies to their ideas. It also offers project-specific support for those proceeding with a specific project. Both kinds of support facilitate open dialogue between the OEB and innovators, resulting in a collaborative environment that encourages creative ideas for meeting Ontario’s energy needs.
In January 2022, Innovation Sandbox 2.0 was unveiled, which introduced new features to enhance access to information on Sandbox activities. An online “as-it-happens” dashboard was launched to provide up-to-date information on the volume and types of enquiries received, as well as support given to pilot projects. Annual reporting was enhanced, delivering a more comprehensive overview of Sandbox activities. These changes allow the OEB to share insights, while keeping certain details confidential to safeguard proprietary information. This approach recognizes the importance of transparency, while maintaining a “safe space” that facilitates open conversations necessary to meaningfully support innovation that provides consumer value.
In an era where greater collaboration is essential for finding solutions to complex problems, regulators worldwide are recognizing the value of establishing sandboxes. The Innovation Sandbox allows for enhanced engagement with sector participants, while enhancing openness, transparency and accountability. This leads to greater trust and more effective and innovative solutions in the energy sector, benefitting all Ontarians.
