ESNA previously identified three finalists each in the categories of Centralized Storage, Distributed Storage and Mobility Storage, leading up to the show. Today, PowerStream, of Vaughan, Ontario, and S&C Electric, of Chicago were selected as winners in the Distributed and Centralized Storage categories, respectively.
Distributed Energy Winner: PowerStream
PowerStream won for operating a residential solar-storage pilot initiative referred to as Power.House, an aggregate fleet of 20 residential solar and battery storage systems located at customers’ homes. An array of solar panels, a 11.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a bi-directional meter were installed at the homes of each pilot participant. PowerStream also partnered with Sunverge Energy and Robertson Bright (RBI).
Funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the project represents Canada’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP). All 20 systems can be autonomously controlled through intelligent software to simulate a single, larger power generating facility. The technology features a combination of rooftop solar PV panels and a lithium-ion battery installed behind the meter at customers’ homes, helps to protect against power outages, off-sets peak hour electricity rates to provide significant reductions on bills and reduces impact during peak system demand, while delivering clean power directly to the customer.
PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 380,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.
“Earning an Energy Storage North America Innovation Award is a testament to our efforts in bringing new technologies to our customers that will provide them with more energy choices,” said Maurizio Bevilacqua, PowerStream Board Chair and City of Vaughan Mayor. “Power.House is another example of our commitment to sustainability and finding ways to help our customers better manage their electricity costs.”
Centralized Storage Winner: S&C Electric
S&C Electric won for its Minster Solar + Storage Project located in Minster, Ohio, which at 7 MW is the largest storage + solar facility owned by a municipal utility in the United States.
The system has been operational since May of 2016 and is currently one of the top performing assets in the PJM frequency regulation market as measured by performance score over a three month rolling average. This project was cited as innovative in part because it benefits from four unique revenue streams, offsetting the cost of the improvement as well as improving the quality of energy reliability to the village.
“We are honored to be recognized for our work with industry leader, Half Moon Ventures and the Village of Minster, a visionary in public power,” says Troy Miller, director, Grid Solutions, S&C. “The Minster project has opened the door to greater energy storage innovation, and we can’t wait to see where that takes us next.”
ESNA makes these awards annually, to help promote energy storage in the U.S. market. “The individuals and organizations who received this year’s ESNA Awards have each played a key role in advancing energy storage through impactful programs, projects, technologies or policies,” said Janice Lin, Energy Storage North America Conference Chair. “Their work is transforming the energy storage ecosystem by opening up brand new markets and solving real world problems for customers and the grid. The strength of our nominees was unmatched in 2016, reflecting the continued growth and maturation of our industry.”
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