News

2MW Grid-Connected Flywheel Energy Storage Facility in Canada

July 22, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Today commercial operations for NRStor Incorporated's 2MW Temporal Power Limited flywheel energy storage facility were started in Harriston, Ontario. This project is the first grid-connected commercial flywheel facility in Canada and will provide regulation service to Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). NRStor was awarded a contract to deliver 2 MW of regulation service to the IESO through a competitive request for proposals process. Regulation service is a contracted service that matches scheduled electricity generation to dynamic consumption; balancing the grid in real time.

"Energy storage technologies have the potential to revolutionize the electricity system, increasing its effectiveness, lowering costs and increasing reliability for the consumer," said Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli. "Ontario is proud to be home to innovative companies, like NRStor and Temporal that are at the forefront of the energy storage sector."

"We commend the IESO and the government's leadership in identifying the opportunity to deliver additional flexibility to Ontario's electricity grid by balancing generation and consumption," said Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO of NRStor. "This project is the first of its kind in Canada and showcases the success of two Ontario start-ups using industry-leading technology."

Energy storage technologies can improve the overall efficiency of the electricity system through a variety of distinct services, regulation service being one example and are a fundamental component of smart grid advancement. "This project will provide enhanced flexibility to our grid by offering precise control to ensure short term energy balancing which is an essential requirement of the power system," said Cameron Carver, CEO, Temporal Power. "Fast response regulation is becoming increasingly important to manage the growth of intermittent renewable resources like wind and solar."

NRStor is currently developing a portfolio of energy storage assets by advancing the energy storage market and accelerating the commercialization of companies like Temporal Power. "Projects such as these facilitate the growth of our electricity system, creating sustainable, reliable and cost-effective grid for our future," said Verschuren.