How to Capture Smart‑Meter Load Data for Battery Analysis

In order build an economic case for adding a Sponge-Controlled battery to a solar project, we need to run a multifactor simulation to determine the battery size and storage strategy that will maximize returns. 

To build this simulation, we need high quality data about your client’s existing consumption patterns. 

This guide explains—step‑by‑step—how solar installers can obtain a customer’s electricity meter data that we need for our simulation. It focuses on the “Download My Data (DMD)” option, which allows customers to download their usage and billing data and securely share it with you. 

Once you have the load data, you can email it to us at Info@sponge.to or submit it via our Intake Form.

1) How to Get the Data (Summary)

    1. Ask the client to log into their utility’s online account. (Email Template Below)
        1. Not every utility supports smart meter data.
            1. In Ontario, by mandate, all facilities are outfitted with smart meters through the Green Button program.

            1. Other Provinces have varying degrees of Smart Meter adoption. 

            1. Below we have provided instructions for how to capture energy usage data from most major utilities across Canada.
                1. If your utility is not listed, check to see if you can use instructions for other utilities to find the data, or, reach out to Sponge for additional support.

    1. Client looks for the Download My Data or Green Button option.

    1. Select the date range (ideally 12–24 months), interval granularity, and meters.

    1. Download the XML file and securely send it to you.

2) What You’ll Get (and Why It Matters)

Typical SMART METER datasets include:

    • Interval usage (e.g., 15‑, 30‑, or 60‑minute meter data)

    • Billing data (bills, charges, tariffs)

    • Basic account/meter info (account number, service address, meter identifiers)

Each of these pieces of information allows us to simulate how various Energy Storage Strategies in parallel to the proposed solar system could impact your clients future energy bills. 

3) Client Outreach Template

Subject: Quick Step: Share Smart‑Meter/Energy-Use Data for Your Solar + Battery Quote

 

Smart Meter Data: Why We Need It

To give you the most accurate solar and battery proposal, we need to see your electricity usage patterns. Most Utilities makes this easy through their Download My Data (DMD) or Green Button features.

This process takes less than 5 minutes. You stay in control of your information at all times.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

PASTE IN STEPS 1 and 2 from your specific utility (listed below)

Step 1 – Log in: Hydro One MyAccount

Step 2 – Find the Green Button or Download My Data option

Step 3 – Select Your Data

  • Choose your service address / meter.
  • Select a date range – ideally the last 12–24 months.
  • Pick interval usage data (15‑ or 30‑minute intervals) and billing data (12 Months of Bills) if available.

Step 4 – Download the File

  • Click Download.
    • Your computer will save an XML file (for example: GreenButtonData.xml).

Step 5 – Send It to Us

  • Email it to: [Insert Secure Email Address] Or ‘Reply’ to this email.

 

Quick Tips

Time Required: About 5 minutes.

File Type: XML (machine‑readable, don’t worry if it looks confusing).

Security: This file only contains your electricity usage and billing details – no payment or password information.

This download is a one-time snapshot of your energy usage. It will be used only for the purposes of generating your quote.

Download Restrictions: Some sights have maximum data downloads. Trying to download 15 minute interval data for a full year may not be feasible, you may need to download data in monthly increments. This is annoying. We apologize for that.

– <Your Name>, <Your Company>

4) Utility‑by‑Utility: Finding Smart Meter Load Data

Tip: The exact screens/labels differ by utility, but the flow is similar. Always direct customers to log in to their online portal and look for Download My Data or Green Button.

Green Button Data (Ontario)

Hydro One

    • Step 2 – Find the Green Button or Download My Data option.

Add-On: You may choose to add Hydro One’s Interval Data Download Guide, available here.

Alectra Utilities (Hamilton, Mississauga, Vaughan, etc.)

    • Step 2 – Find the Download My Data option. Download both interval data and billing history for demand analysis.

Toronto Hydro

    • Step 2 – Find the Green Button / Download My Data section.

Hydro Ottawa

Elexicon Energy

Enova Power (Kitchener‑Waterloo/Cambridge region)

    • Step 2 – Find the Green Button link within the dashboard.

London Hydro

    • Step 2 – Click on the Green Button Platform link after logging in.

Enbridge Gas (Natural Gas)

    • Step 2 – Navigate to the “Share My Data” or “Download My Data” section.

    • Note: Data is monthly/bi‑monthly; still useful for CHP or hybrid projects.

Other Ontario LDCs (e.g., Burlington Hydro, Entegrus, etc.) offer similar flows—look for Green Button or Download My Data in the customer portal.

BC Hydro Smart Meter Data 

Option 1: Download from MyHydro Portal (Most Common)

  •  

    • Step 2 – View Detailed Usage: Once logged in, click on “View detailed consumption” or go to the “Data download centre.”

Option 2: Multi-Unit or Commercial Properties

*There is not a simple download option for Commercial facilities under BC Hydro

    • Step 2 – Provide Details: Include your account number(s) and building address.

    • Step 3 – Submit Request: BC Hydro usually processes within 5 business days.

    • Step 4 – Share: Forward the aggregated Excel file to your installer.

Hydro-Québec: How to Download Your Smart-Meter Data

    • Step 2 – Open Consumption Profile: Inside your account dashboard, navigate to the “Consumption Profile” tool to view your energy use data.

Nova Scotia: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

    • Step 2 – Access MyEnergy Insights:
      Once logged in, navigate to the MyEnergy Insights section. This tool provides detailed insights into your energy usage, including hourly, daily, monthly, and annual summaries. You can also view your energy use by appliance and equipment.

For Larger Commercial or Multi-Unit Properties

    • Step 1 – Contact Customer Care:
      For aggregated or historical data, especially for larger properties, contact Nova Scotia Power’s Customer Care at 1-800-428-6230. They can provide assistance with accessing the necessary data.

    • Step 2 – Request Data:
      Specify the type of data you require, such as historical usage or aggregated data for multiple units. Customer Care will guide you through the process and provide the data in the appropriate format.

    • navigate to the “Consumption Profile” tool to view your energy use data.

Saskatchewan: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

For Residential and Small Commercial Customers

  •  

    • Step 2 – Access My Reports:
      Once logged in, navigate to the My Reports section. This tool provides detailed insights into your energy usage, including hourly, daily, monthly, and annual summaries.

For Larger Commercial or Multi-Unit Properties

  •  
    • Step 1 – Contact Customer Care:
      For aggregated or historical data, especially for larger properties, contact SaskPower’s Customer Care at 1-888-757-6937. They can provide assistance with accessing the necessary data.

    • Step 2 – Request Data:
      Specify the type of data you require, such as historical usage or aggregated data for multiple units. Customer Care will guide you through the process and provide the data in the appropriate format.

New Brunswick: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

For Residential and Small Commercial Customers

Step 1 – Log in:
Visit the NB Power online account portal and log in with your credentials.

Step 2 – Access Usage Data:
Once logged in, navigate to the “Track and Manage Your Energy Use” section. This tool provides detailed insights into your energy usage, including hourly, daily, and even 15-minute intervals.

For Larger Commercial or Multi-Unit Properties

Step 1 – Contact Customer Care:
For aggregated or historical data, especially for larger properties, contact NB Power’s Customer Care at 1-800-663-6272. They can provide assistance with accessing the necessary data.

Step 2 – Request Data:
Specify the type of data you require, such as historical usage or aggregated data for multiple units. Customer Care will guide you through the process and provide the data in the appropriate format.

Alberta: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

*NOTE: Much of Alberta does not have smart meter data yet. The province is aiming for full deployment by 2029. 

For Residential and Small Commercial Customers

  •  

    • Step 2 – Log in to Your Account:
      Access your utility provider’s online portal and log in with your account credentials – usually found on your bill. If you don’t have an account, you may need to create one.

Manitoba: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

*NOTE: Manitoba has very low smart meter penetration. The following instructions allow for the download of Energy Bills.

For Residential and Small Commercial Customers

  •  

    • Step 2 – Access Usage Data:
      Once logged in, navigate to the “My Dashboard” section. Here, you can view your energy usage data, including monthly summaries and comparisons to previous periods.

    • Step 3 – Download Data:
      Manitoba Hydro’s online portal allows you to download your account statement, which includes billing and usage information. To download a statement:
  1. Click the “Billing” tab and go to “History”.
  2. Click “Statement of Account”.
  3. Select the required dates – use the drop-down for month and year, and select the day on the calendar.
  4. Select the services you require (all; electric only; gas only).
  5. Click “Filter” as well as the format you prefer (PDF or Export to Excel) and the statement is created.

P.E.I: How to Download Your Power Smart Meter Data

*NOTE: P.E.I. has very low smart meter penetration. The following instructions allow for the download of Energy Bills/Monthly Consumption Summaries.

For Residential and Small Commercial Customers

  •  

    • Step 2 – Access Usage Data:
      Once logged in, navigate to the “My Account” section. Here, you can view your energy usage data, including monthly summaries and comparisons to previous periods.

For Larger Commercial or Multi-Unit Properties

Step 1 – Contact Customer Care:
For aggregated or historical data, especially for larger properties, contact Maritime Electric’s Customer Care at 1-800-670-1012. They can provide assistance with accessing the necessary data.

Step 2 – Request Data:
Specify the type of data you require, such as historical usage or aggregated data for multiple units. Customer Care will guide you through the process and provide the data in the appropriate format.

5) Troubleshooting & FAQs

  •  
    • Data gaps or zeros: Normal around outages/meter swaps. We clean all data before engaging in simulation 

    • Multiple accounts/meters: Ask clients to download data for all relevant meters.

    • Privacy concerns: Reassure that they control the download and file transfer.

    • Interval length differences: Our modeling should normalize to 15/30/60‑minute buckets; keep the original raw files for audit.