WCSB Power is building an eReserve battery storage project south of Rycroft, consisting of 20-Megawatt (MW) capacity lithium-ion battery storage systems. 

Battery storage does not create new electricity, but rather holds previously generated electricity in large capacity batteries. For this project, electricity will be drawn from the Alberta electricity grid, then stored in batteries for a period of time, and eventually released as stored-energy-upon-demand for the AESO. The battery storage systems will effectively return energy to the electricity grid when needed for electric system support – generally when demand is high. 

WCSB Power says there will be multiple benefits for the community in construction and operation: 

  • municipal tax revenue requiring minimal municipal services 
  • generating local jobs for electricians, equipment & project operators, labourers, specialized trades, site managers, and engineers 
  • procurement of local support services such as accommodations and food services for workers 

The Rycroft project is one of three locations in Alberta, part of a 60 MW project announced earlier this month.  

WCSB will acquire and construct Canada’s largest battery storage project, consisting of up to 60 MW total nameplate capacity of Tesla Megapack Batteries, providing energy balancing and grid frequency regulation services that support Alberta’s ongoing growth toward sustainable energy. 

The second two projects are scheduled for construction in 2021. One of these will be built in the MD of Wainwright, near the village of Irma. 

Learn more about the project HERE.