https://www.metering.com/news/energy-storage-programme-austin-energy/
7 June 2017
Texas utility integrates solar and storage to meet peak demand
US utility Austin Energy partnered with smart grid software firm Stem to
deploy an energy storage programme for its commercial customers in Texas.
The energy storage programme is funded by part of $4 million grant
Austin Energy secured from the Department of Energy under the
Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar
Photovoltaics (SHINES) programme.
The SHINES initiative was designed by the DoE to accelerate the
integration of solar energy generation systems with energy storage and
grid networks to reduce the cost of electricity sourced from solar to
below $0.14 per kilowatt per hour.
Under the project with Austin Energy, Stem will equip the utility’s
commercial customers with solar systems and integrate them with on-site
storage system and cloud-based energy management software.
With the energy management software, consumers will be able to see how
much energy they are generating and storing on site under efforts to
improve the way they manage their energy consumption.
The solution provider claims its cloud-based energy management and
analytics software makes use of weather forecasts and consumer’s
previous and real-time energy usage patterns to provide users with an
estimation of when their energy use might reach its peak.
The energy storage programme is expected to help Austin Energy meet
demand during peak periods and consumers to reduce their energy costs by
avoiding the use of energy supplied from the grid during peak periods
when tariffs will be high.
Jackie Sargent, the general manager at Austin Energy, said: “The Austin
SHINES project is another example of Austin Energy’s commitment to using
innovative technology to increase reliability and customer value. This
project will help Austin Energy learn more about the potential benefits
of integrated distributed energy resources for broader deployment in the
future, so we can maximise the value of solar and storage integration
for our customers.”
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https://www.metering.com/news/energy-storage-facility-elmira-canada/
16 May 2017
Elmira okays rollout of 2MW energy storage plant in Canada
The Elmira council in Ontario approved the development of a 2MW energy
storage facility to help meet energy demand during peak periods.
The 2MW battery energy storage facility will be developed by NextEra
Energy for storing excess electricity generated from solar and wind.
The system will be used to provide stored energy into the Ontario
Independent System Operator (IESO)'s grid network during peak periods or
when solar and wind generation is low.
The energy storage facility will be integrated with technologies to
enable remote charging and discharging of energy.
The project falls under efforts to improve the adoption of renewable
energy resources in Canada and help Ontario reduce its reliance on
gas-fired energy generation to secure its energy supply during peak
periods.
Energy storage in Canada
In related news, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy partnered with the
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and Innovacorp to
deploy a smart grid pilot project.
The SDTC is a foundation established by the Canadian government to
promote sustainable development by providing funding to improve
research, development, testing and adoption of innovative technologies.
Innovacorp provides funding to help start-ups based in Novia Scotia to
commercialise their products and services.
Under the new partnership, the three parties will help developers and
researchers of smart grid technologies to develop and demonstrate their
technologies to enhance grid reliability in Novia Scotia.In a press
statement, SDTC said it will provide project evaluation support to
projects shortlisted to participate in the smart grid pilot project
through the organisation's Smart Energy Innovation Programme.
The smart grid pilot project will focus on energy storage, smart grid,
clean energy power generation and the interoperability of grid networks
with distributed energy resources.
Michel Samson, Energy Minister, said: "Innovation is essential to energy
sustainability and economic success.
"By supporting local innovators, we can help Nova Scotians build on
their tremendous achievements in renewables and energy efficiency, make
energy more affordable, and ensure Nova Scotia businesses get a bigger
piece of this multi-billion dollar global market."
Leah Lawrence, CEO of SDTC, added: "SDTC is excited to partner with
these like-minded organisations in Nova Scotia to help entrepreneurs
move their innovations closer to commercialization. This partnership
allows entrepreneurs to potentially access funding from both provincial
and federal funding bodies through a streamlined application process.
These technologies will provide economic and environmental benefits to
Nova Scotians and all Canadians."
