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

  • Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    March 28. 2024 As demand for skilled trades professionals rises, Skills Ontario is commending the government for continued investments in skilled trades and technology programing, working to address the shortfall and need to build the workforce of the future in Ontario.  The skilled trades shortage is costing Ontario approximately $25 billion in foregone GDP. A… Read More…

  • IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

    IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

     IVRY Technologies, a division of IDEAL Electrical, is launching seven new virtual reality (VR) lessons in Canada as part of its Virtual Electrical Training (VET) Series 2 training module. The cutting-edge training will serve as a learning resource for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centers across Canada. Read More…

  • PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    March 28, 2024 Hon. Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance, presented government’s 2024-25 operating budget to the legislative assembly, outlining $3.2 billion in investments for Prince Edward Island with a continued focus on healthcare, housing and affordability measures. “This budget signals where we’re headed as a province and shows Islanders where we will be making key… Read More…

  • BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    March 28, 2024 Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, met with community climate leaders in Nelson to discuss how Budget 2024 can help support people in the region to transition to a low-carbon economy and meet shared CleanBC goals. “Our government’s budget this year reflects the… Read More…