Edmonton Receives $10.7 Million for 6MW battery storage system

Battery Storage System

Dec 10, 2018

The federal government has announced plans to invest $10.7-million in a battery- and solar-powered smart grid project that will improve electricity delivery, reduce pollution and create jobs in Edmonton.

Led by EPCOR, Edmonton’s water and electrical utility provider, the project at the E. L. Smith Water Treatment Plant (shown in photo) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supplying electricity from a nearby solar facility. 

Installing the 6MW battery storage system with better management controls and improved monitoring will create up to 20 temporary and three permanent jobs during construction and for ongoing operations. Upon completion, the project will result in operational savings for the company and ratepayers. The new battery storage system will also ensure a more resilient and reliable power grid.

The project is being developed through a partnership with the Alberta Smart Grid Consortium, which consists of Alberta’s electricity distribution companies, Alberta Innovates and Alberta Department of Energy with a goal to accelerate the development and deployment of smart grid initiatives in Alberta. Once operational, the system will be capable of operating independently as a micro-grid to provide improved electricity supply to the water treatment plant in the event of a loss of power. 

Federal funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Grid Program, which provides investments to utilities to reduce pollution, better use existing electricity assets, and encourage innovation. An additional $1.9 million in funding will be provided by Alberta Innovates, a provincially funded corporation that supports research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Smart cities are powered by smart electrical grids, which will need innovative energy storage solutions,” says Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates. “A broad group of players in the Smart Grid Consortium has come together to accelerate the solutions that can be widely deployed in the province. We’re delighted to support this initiative as it moves into full demonstration in Edmonton.”

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Federal Investment to Add 989 New Montreal Homes

    Federal Investment to Add 989 New Montreal Homes

    November 18, 2024 The federal government is providing nearly $364 million to help build 989 new homes in Montreal. The announcement took place at 5200 rue de la Savane, in Montreal, which received $100 million dollars through the Apartment Loan Construction Program (ACLP) to build 303 homes and will be operated by Olymbec. This rental building, named Lynk, is designed to… Read More…

  • ABB and NIEDAX Group Announce Completion of Joint Venture with the Formation of Abnex Inc.

    ABB and NIEDAX Group Announce Completion of Joint Venture with the Formation of Abnex Inc.

    November 18, 2024 ABB completed the previously announced 50/50 joint venture with Niedax Group. The Abnex Inc. joint venture (JV) will broaden solutions and advance opportunities in the rapidly growing North American cable management market. Integrating engineering and manufacturing capabilities of ABB’s Installation Products Division with Niedax Group will enable the newly formed company to deliver a… Read More…

  • Ontario Building More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

    Ontario Building More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

    November 18, 2024 The Ontario government is building over 1,300 new electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in small and medium-sized communities, marking a major milestone in the province’s plan to increase access to EV chargers outside of large urban centres and support the electrification of transportation across the province. As the province continues to see… Read More…

  • Ontario Investing Over $74 Million Through Next Round of Skills Development Fund Capital Stream

    Ontario Investing Over $74 Million Through Next Round of Skills Development Fund Capital Stream

    November 18, 2024 The Ontario government is launching the second round of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream starting November 29, with over $74 million in available funding to build, expand and retrofit training facilities for workers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing technology and health care. The government is also investing nearly $5 million from the first… Read More…