Wärtsilä will supply Canada-based Alectra Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Alectra Utilities, with an energy storage system of 2 MW/5,4 MWh.

The system will be used at Georgian College in Ontario, and it is intended to significantly reduce the power costs of the facility by using energy storage to minimize electricity usage when the demand for electricity peaks.

The specified system that is controlled by Wärtsilä’s GEMS proprietary advanced energy management system includes the company’s containerized GridSolv solution with lithium-ion batteries, inverters, and all balance of plant equipment.

GEMS allows the batteries to be charged when the electrical load is below a fixed level, and the batteries to be discharged during peak loads, thereby reducing grid consumption.

In addition, GEMS will charge the batteries when the price is low and discharge them when the price increases, due to its ability to react to fluctuations in energy price arbitrage.

“Ontario is committed to achieving a sustainable power supply and conforming with this objective by seeking a zero-emissions solution was important to us. The Wärtsilä energy storage solution will help to significantly reduce the College’s electricity costs while supporting Ontario’s climate change mitigation strategies.”

Angela Lockridge, Georgian College VP, student success and corporate services.

“The system will be used in Ontario for effective power management. Managed by our advanced GEMS software, it is a highly efficient means for controlling demand charge type costs. By responding to Global Adjustment peak discharge events to cover the load, the system will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to the customer.”

Risto Paldanius, director, business development, energy storage and optimization.

The system is scheduled for delivery, installation and commissioning in autumn 2020.