Hydro-Québec subsidiary EVLO Energy Storage Inc. is providing its batter technology for the first solar + storage project in Summerland, British Columbia.
The Summerland project includes a 0.4 MW solar array and four EVLO 1000 battery energy storage units, along with EVLO’s proprietary EMS control system, which will provide 4 MWh of storage capacity.
“Summerland is one of five municipalities in B.C. to own a local electrical utility, which provides us an opportunity to generate some of our own electricity and store it for later use at peak hours,” said District of Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes. “Storage capability is the key to helping us control costs and provide a more stable and resilient grid.”
EVLO has partnered with B.C.-based general contracting firm Wildstone Construction Group and Skyfire Energy, Western Canada’s leading solar panel installation contractor, to provide the Summerland district with its first utility-scale solar installation that combines battery energy storage system (BESS) technology to extend the system’s output into the hours when energy demand is highest.
The storage system will enable peak shaving which will eliminate short-term demand spikes and lower peak loads, reducing the overall cost of demand charges. The solar installation will be geo-ballasted, meaning no ground anchors or concrete will be needed during construction of the array, helping minimize the carbon intensity of the project. More than 80% of the construction team is based locally in Okanagan, British Columbia.
“As our first solar plus storage installation in Western Canada, EVLO is proud to work alongside Wildstone to provide our leading energy storage solutions and industry expertise for this first-of-its-kind project for the Summerland region,” said Sonia St-Arnaud, president and CEO at EVLO. “As we celebrate our second anniversary, this project builds upon our rapidly growing portfolio as we expand into markets throughout North America and abroad.”
EVLO’s battery technology and industry expertise are based on several decades of research and development on battery materials by Hydro-Québec, one of North America’s largest renewable energy producers, which has hundreds of patents in the field. Thanks to Hydro-Québec’s experience in the operation, control and simulation of electric power systems, EVLO is positioned to develop products and services tailored to the specific needs of utilities and independent power producers. Founded in 2020, EVLO has several sites in operation and development across North America and France.
“Wildstone is thrilled to bring this solar plus storage project to Summerland and enter into the utility renewable energy space with our valued project partners, EVLO and Skyfire Energy,” said Mark Melissen, President at Wildstone. “Without their industry expertise and cost-effective solutions, none of this would have been possible.”
— Solar Builder magazine
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