Latest news with #BatteryStorage
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Contentious rural Ottawa battery facility gets nod from council
City council has thrown its support behind a contentious battery facility in rural west Ottawa, after rural councillors rebuffed the same appeal last week. At a Wednesday meeting, councillors voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal from Evolugen, a renewable energy company based in Gatineau, Que. The company is seeking to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a 4.5-hectare plot of rural land off Marchurst Road, about 30 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa. "My residents now see that we are kind of the guinea pigs," said West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly, whose ward will be home to the project. "[Rural property] is where we're going to put these projects to bolster regional economic development — and I think that's where you'll see some resentments from rural residents." But councillors who spoke in favour of the project cited the rapidly growing energy needs of Ottawa residents and businesses, as well as the potential for the technology to help wean the city off fossil fuels. Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said the project plays a crucial role in everything from fighting climate change to stimulating economic development. "Energy is the new gold," she said. 'Significant milestone,' company says BESS facilities are large batteries, housed in containers, that store energy generated at off-peak hours to be used when demand is higher. They are useful for storing renewable energy, as they allow customers to access power that's been generated by wind turbines and solar panels, even when winds aren't blowing or the sun isn't shining. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), a Crown corporation responsible for managing Ontario's energy market, had already granted Evolugen a contract to build the facility. But the company, which is equal partners with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation on the project, needed the official blessing of council to move forward. In a written statement, Evolugen called Wednesday's vote "a significant milestone." "The company is grateful for the thoughtful engagement and consideration demonstrated by council and staff throughout this process," the statement read. The company declined an interview request, even though a group of representatives was present at the meeting. Evolugen must still go through "comprehensive technical studies," according to the city, including a detailed site plan and assessments for noise, safety and environmental impact. Fire chief reassures residents Councillors discussed the issue before a gallery that featured a small contingent of opponents wearing matching t-shirts that read "Stop Marchurst BESS." "We will rally," said Courtney Argue, one of the dissenters, after the decision. "It's proving over and over again that rural voices aren't heard." The company was on its second attempt at pitching the project to neighbouring residents, who showed up in large numbers to a rural affairs meeting last week. Of the more than 60 people who spoke at the nearly 10-hour meeting, most voiced staunch opposition to the project. The loss of farmland and the risk of fire or well water contamination were the most common concerns. More than 1,400 people signed a hand-written petition against the project. But Ottawa Fire Services Chief Paul Hutt said his team will consider Evolugen's detailed proposal when it comes and develop emergency plans for safety and fire suppression. "In the event that there is an incident, we're going to have it all pre-planned before that time," he said. Curry also struck a reassuring tone. "The consultation will now begin," she said. "There is a lot more to come on this. This is the beginning, not the end." The final vote was 20-3 in favour of the project. Along with Kelly, Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo and Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown also voted against it.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Momentum Energy Teams Up with Solargain to Empower Australian Homes and Small to Medium-sized Businesses with Solar and Battery Energy Solutions
Hybrid Inverters – These devices integrate battery storage with solar energy generation, allowing users to store excess power for later use and reduce dependence on grid electricity. – These devices integrate battery storage with solar energy generation, allowing users to store excess power for later use and reduce dependence on grid electricity. Real-Time Energy Monitoring – Enables customers to track power consumption and solar energy production, assisting in energy management. – Enables customers to track power consumption and solar energy production, assisting in energy management. Battery Storage Solutions – Offers options for storing excess solar energy for use during peak periods or at night, reducing reliance on the grid. – Offers options for storing excess solar energy for use during peak periods or at night, reducing reliance on the grid. Solar Systems (PV Panels & Inverters) – Provides access to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverters, allowing customers to generate their own renewable energy and self-consume it on-site. $100 (including GST) Bill Credit – Available to Momentum electricity customers based in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, or Queensland who take up the offer via Momentum and purchase a Solargain product (eg. a solar PV system, solar battery or hot water heat pump). – Available to Momentum electricity customers based in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, or Queensland who take up the offer via Momentum and purchase a Solargain product (eg. a solar PV system, solar battery or hot water heat pump). Reduced Energy Bills – Generating and storing electricity can help reduce reliance on the grid and decrease energy costs. – Generating and storing electricity can help reduce reliance on the grid and decrease energy costs. Customer Support – Solargain provides ongoing assistance to ensure system performance and efficiency. – Solargain provides ongoing assistance to ensure system performance and efficiency. Energy Independence – Storing solar-generated electricity in a battery enhances resilience to power outages. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 June 2025 –Momentum Energy has partnered with Solargain, a leading provider of solar PV and battery storage solutions, to accelerate the adoption of clean, renewable energy solutions in Australia . This partnership aims to make solar technology more accessible to homeowners and small to medium-sized businesses, helping them reduce energy costs, lower their carbon footprint, and transition to a more sustainable energy partnership focuses on increasing the adoption of solar power systems and battery storage in Australia. Solargain, will manage key aspects of the transition, including product selection, installation, rebate applications, and ongoing support, ensuring a seamless process for Energy supports customers in accessing solar and battery solutions through its partnership with residential and small to medium-sized business electricity customers in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, or Queensland who purchase a Solargain product are eligible for a one-time bill credit of $100 (including GST).Momentum's Head of Energy Solutions, Cam Taylor, said, "We're excited about our partnership with Solargain to help Momentum customers on their journey towards adopting solar and battery solutions. With recent announcements about subsidies for batteries, we expect more interest than ever, which is why we're working with one of Australia's largest providers of solar and batteries."The initiative provides homeowners and small to medium-sized businesses with access to solar and battery storage technologies. These include:Homeowners and small to medium-sized businesses taking part in this initiative can benefit from:The partnership supports renewable energy adoption by making solar and battery solutions more accessible, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to emissions #MomentumEnergy The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Momentum Energy Momentum Energy is an Australian energy retailer dedicated to providing sustainable energy solutions. As part of its mission to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, Momentum Energy aims to make solar and battery storage systems more accessible, help customers reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs, and reinforce its commitment to support a cleaner, more sustainable future. About Solargain Solargain is a leading provider of solar and battery storage solutions in Australia. Celebrating its 20th birthday and recently winning Canstar's 'Most satisfied Customers' award, the company specialises in the expert installation of high-quality solar panels, inverters, and battery storage systems. Solargain is committed to helping Australians lower their energy costs and reduce their environmental impact with solar energy solutions. For more information, visit: Momentum Energy | Solargain Follow Momentum Energy on social media:
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Giant battery: first stage of Ruakākā Energy Park switched on
The new Battery Energy Storage System should help even out electricity supply and demand peaks and troughs for Northland, Meridian says. From left, project manager Mike Wilson and field service engineer Minh Nguyen with some of the battery modules, on Friday. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf New Zealand's first super-sized grid-connected battery - built at a cost of $186 million - will help improve Northland's energy resilience in future power outages, Meridian Energy says. The company said its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would also help smooth out power peaks and troughs, by storing energy when electricity is cheap and releasing it at times of peak demand, such as early mornings and evenings. The battery park consisted of 80 shipping-container-sized batteries spread over a two-hectare site at Marsden Point, next the former oil refinery south of Whangārei. Photo: Supplied/ Meridian Energy Project director Alan de Lima said at full capacity the giant battery could supply 100 megawatts (MW) of power, enough for 60,000 homes or about half Northland's population, for two hours. It had been connected to the grid since the beginning of the year and would start operating as soon as final tests had been signed off. "We're very pleased to be the first to get this to market and get into operation … Storage is key in this country, and this battery provides a large amount of storage that helps the whole network and provides more resilience for the entire grid," de Lima said. The facility was in essence one very big battery made up of hundreds of thousands of lithium-ion cells, he said. "We'll charge it when power prices are low or when there's not much demand, typically overnight, or when there's lots of wind and lots of solar. "Then we can wait until the demand is higher and release the energy into the grid then. Typically, that would be in the morning and evening peaks, but also if there's an issue in the grid." Saft field service engineer Minh Nguyen with one of the 80 containerised batteries that make up New Zealand's first grid-scale battery, on 23 May 2025. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf The site, just 1km from Northland's biggest port and across the road from a Transpower substation, was ideal. General manager of development Guy Waipara said the battery was the company's first project in Northland. It was also stage one of Meridian's planned Ruakākā Energy Park . Stage two would involve building a $227m 130MW solar farm, with 250,000 panels spread over 172ha of land next to the battery. Work was due to start in August with power expected to start flowing in early 2027. Averaged out throughout the year, the solar farm would produce enough power to supply half Northland's needs, Waipara said. "The battery will really come into its own during times of peak stress on the electricity system. Think of it a bit like your EV at home - you charge it up overnight when power is plentiful and cheap. When power is scarce and more expensive, that's when the battery comes in operation." Asked if the two projects would bring down electricity bills in Northland - the Far North especially has some of the highest power prices in the country - Waipara said every new generation project put downward pressure on prices. Local contractors were used as much as possible and a large wetland would be restored during construction of the solar farm. Many more grid-connected batteries were in the pipeline throughout the country, Waipara said. Contact was building one at Glenbrook, south of Auckland; Genesis had one under construction in Huntly ; and Meridian had another consented at Bunnythorpe in Manawatū. Meridian board chairman Mark Verbiest said the accidental toppling of a pylon last year and subsequent Northland-wide power outage , illustrated the need for greater energy resilience in the region. The giant battery was symbolically launched on Friday afternoon by Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Shane Reti, with the two Northland-based MPs flicking on a giant-sized switch. From left, Meridian chairman Mark Verbiest and ministers Shane Reti and Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ/ Peter de Graaf The batteries were manufactured in China for French company Saft. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
