About Us

Smart Phases: A Vision of Resilience and Innovation

When Michael L. Carty and Stephane Bilodeau first met at an Alternative Fuel Vehicles conference in Montreal, they were just two innovators driven by a shared passion: finding sustainable solutions in a world increasingly strained by energy demands. It was a crowded event with bold ideas being exchanged, but amidst the noise, one common concern kept surfacing — how could industries better utilize waste heat, one of the most untapped and overlooked energy sources?

Michael, a strategic thinker with a talent for seeing big-picture solutions, and Stephane, an engineer, PhD, thermodynamics expert with an eye for innovation, realized they were asking the same question. Over a cup of coffee that stretched into hours of animated discussion, they envisioned a company that could transform industries’ perspectives on energy efficiency and resilience.

They decided to call it Smart Phases. The name was a nod to "phase change," the principle of transforming materials between states to store and release energy. But it also embodied their belief that smart transitions — whether in technology, business, or energy use — were the future of sustainable development.

The Journey Begins

Smart Phases began in a modest office above an old manufacturing plant in Candiac. The hum of industry was constant background music as they spent late nights designing, testing, and refining their ideas. Their vision was to integrate advanced thermal storage solutions into existing infrastructures, making energy systems more efficient, flexible, and resilient.

It wasn’t long before their paths crossed with Novacab’s Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS). The Novacab TESS was a game-changer: a cutting-edge technology capable of capturing, storing, and converting waste heat into electricity through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The system promised to bridge the gap between wasted thermal energy and usable electrical power. It was precisely the innovation they needed to bring their vision to life.

Together, Michael and Stephane realized that by pairing Novacab’s TESS with their own adaptive control strategies, they could offer industries a turnkey solution to slash emissions, increase energy efficiency, and bolster resilience. It wasn’t just about saving money on energy costs; it was about securing a sustainable future.

A Turning Point

As for the technology, the first major project took place at a sprawling IBM industrial campus in Bromont, Quebec. The facility’s boilers, which had long vented waste heat into the atmosphere, became the proving ground for the very first generation of what would become the Smart Phases’ integrated solution. The Novacab TESS modules captured the excess heat, while Smart Phases’ custom controls ensured the system operated seamlessly, generating electricity that offset the facility’s energy demand.

When the first kilowatts of reclaimed energy flowed back into the plant’s grid, Michael and Stephane knew they were on the cusp of something transformative. They watched as energy bills dropped, emissions decreased, and the facility gained a newfound resilience against grid instabilities.

"We're not just entrepreneurs," Michael remarked to Stephane that day, "We're energy stewards."

Stephane nodded, his eyes reflecting the glow of the monitors tracking the system’s performance. "And we're just getting started."

Scaling Innovation

Word of their success spread, and Smart Phases began partnering with industries across North America. From sugar production plants to university campuses, they adapted Novacab TESS technology to diverse applications, each time improving the system’s efficiency and adaptability. Their solutions not only recovered waste heat but also provided energy security, a critical factor in a world facing increasing climate uncertainties and grid challenges.

As Smart Phases grew, so did the friendship between Michael and Stephane. Their complementary strengths — Michael’s strategic foresight and Stephane’s technical mastery — continued to drive the company forward. They both believed that sustainability wasn’t a luxury but a necessity, and that innovation needed to serve both industry and the planet.

The Future in Motion

Today, Smart Phases stands as a beacon of what’s possible when vision meets collaboration. The Novacab TESS remains a cornerstone of their offerings, constantly refined with each new project. For Michael and Stephane, every system they deploy isn’t just a technical achievement; it’s a step toward a resilient, sustainable world.

In their office, a plaque hangs on the wall with a simple phrase: "Transforming Energy, Sustaining Tomorrow."

It’s more than a motto. It’s the story of two founders who dared to imagine a world where no energy goes to waste and where every phase change — in matter or mindset — brings us closer to a brighter future.