A new energy storage facility, the first of its kind in Canada, was officially opened here on July 22.
Ontario Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli was on hand for the commencement of commercial operations for NRStor Incorporated’s two-megawatt flywheel energy storage facility located in the Harriston Industrial Park.
The project is the first grid-connected flywheel facility in Canada and will help regulate the power supply through an agreement with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator.
Regulation is a contracted service that matches scheduled electricity generation to consumption, “balancing the grid in real time,” according to a press release issued by NRStor and system designers Temporal Power.
An open house at the Harriston facility to mark the commencement of operations was attended by about 100 people, including Town of Minto councillors and staff; officials of NRStor, Temporal Power and other companies involved with the project; as well as officials from New Brunswick interested in the new technology.
The facility contains flywheel energy storage systems installed in cast-in-place concrete vaults which extend about 20 feet below grade. These and the supporting equipment are housed in a 7,500 square foot fabricated steel building.
The facility can either discharge up to two megawatts of power onto the grid, or pull up to two megawatts of power off and store it in the spinning flywheel system until it is needed. The system receives a signal every few seconds, directing it to adjust the power supply up or down in order to maintain consistent delivery to the grid.
“It’s a game changer,” said Chiarelli. “It’s very innovative and very effective.”
Ontario’s energy grid has access to enough power to supply the province’s needs, the minister explained, the trick is making it available when needed.
“What is really important about this project is that we need to make our assets on the system more efficient,” Chiarelli said.
“Energy storage technologies have the potential to revolutionize the electricity system, increasing its effectiveness, lowering costs and increasing reliability for the consumer.”
Among the advantages of energy storage is the ability to better utilize alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
“This procurement allows alternative energies to participate in the regulated market for the first time,” Chiarelli pointed out, adding Ontario has committed to procuring 50 megawatts of energy storage by the end of this year.
“We’re on track to do that and we’re working to assess the true value of storage in the system,” he stated.
NRStor chair and CEO Annette Verschuren noted it was nice to be part of a solution to energy production issues.
“It’s wonderful to be able to be part of positive talk in terms of energy production in Ontario – let’s change the tone,” said Verschuren.
Temporal Power CEO Cameron Carver noted the Harriston facility represents the only all-commercial flywheel energy storage facility on the planet.
“Technology like this is starting to play a more important role,” said Carver, who predicted similar systems will soon be in place across Canada and around the world.
“Fast response regulation is becoming increasingly important to manage the growth of intermittent renewable resources like solar and wind.”
Harriston was chosen as a location for the project for a number of reasons, including inexpensive available land, power grid access and fibre optic internet capability.
Chiarelli noted the part played by Minto officials in helping to facilitate the establishment of the system locally.
“You’re very fortunate to have a municipality like Minto. Those of us who have been in business know how important it is to have a co-operative administration, someone who understands business and is very helpful to business,” Chiarelli said.
Minto Mayor George Bridge quipped, “We’re just happy to have companies like NRStor and Temporal power come here to be in our innovative community … You fit in so well and we can brag about you – and we like to brag.”
Although government agencies are clients, Vershuren told reporters the project has been entirely funded through the private sector.
Both NRStor and Temporal Power are funded by Toronto-based venture capital firm Northwater Capital Management Inc., an investor in leading-edge technology and development companies.
Chiarelli commended the various partners who played a part in bringing the flywheel project on line.
“Together they’ve taken on the challenge of energy storage, which has been described as the holy grail of renewable energy,” said Chiarelli.
