Eaton plans to expand its global innovation centre in suburban Montreal just months after opening it.

The Pittsburgh-based company announced that it will add 9,000 square feet and 50 more highly specialized jobs to the facility in Brossard, Que., where distributed energy resources are developed. Eaton will build a new experience centre to provide hands-on training in digital technologies designed to to accelerate the energy transition to net-zero emissions.

“Innovation and industry education are essential to propel the world’s transition to smarter, more sustainable energy systems,” said Luiz Fernando Huet de Bacellar, Eaton’s vice president of engineering and technology. “Here in Montreal, we’re bringing together the electrical industry’s brightest minds to develop and test new technologies, working hand-in-hand with customers, regional universities and technical schools to make it happen.”

At the innovation centre, Eaton is collaborating with long-term customers, such as Hydro-Québec, develop and commercialize new solutions, such as a new electrical microgrid, that will help simplify, accelerate and optimize the integration of renewables and energy storage for utilities, buildings and industry.

Eaton opened the innovation centre in November 2023. The 113-year-old firm serves customers in 160 countries.

Photo; Business Wire