Sault Ste. Marie – July 19, 2017 – Convergent Energy + Power, a developer of energy storage projects throughout North America, announced today that it has finished construction on the first project under Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) 2014 energy storage solicitation. Convergent’s energy storage installation is designed to increase the reliability and efficiency of the grid, specifically in the Sault Ste. Marie region.
“We are proud to deliver an energy storage solution aimed at making the power grid more efficient and cost-effective,” said Johannes Rittershausen, CEO of Convergent. “Developing, building and managing an energy storage asset is a complex endeavor. Convergent has a strong record of accomplishment, overcoming first-mover obstacles to deliver on our obligations and create value for our customers.”
Convergent worked with the local utility PUC Services, Inc. to site the 7-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility adjacent to one of its transmission substations.
“Working with Convergent created a winning situation for our customers,” said PUC Services President & CEO Dominic Parrella. “The Convergent project paid for upgrades in our substation, including the decommissioning and removal of older infrastructure. We anticipate this asset will operate for many years to balance the broader Ontario grid and has already saved residents of Sault Ste. Marie money.”
In addition to reducing and optimizing grid costs, Convergent’s Sault project has injected millions of dollars into the city’s economy, as work was completed by local companies for design, engineering and construction services, including STEM Engineering Group, WSP, S&T Group, N-Sci Technologies, and SalDan Construction Group. Other project vendors included GE Energy Storage and Whitby Hydro Energy Services Corp.
“Sault Ste. Marie has always been a leader and first mover in alternative energy projects and this project is just another great example,” said Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano, “The PUC with the support of other local businesses were central to the success of this project and I congratulate all of the parties involved.”
The IESO contracted with five companies to build a variety of energy storage projects throughout the province. Convergent becomes the first on this list to finish construction, beginning a multi-year process of the IESO piloting energy storage’s ability to enhance the flexibility and resiliency of the grid.
”Energy storage technologies like this one have the potential to help us to address some operating challenges on the bulk transmission system,” said Nicholas Ingman, Director of Market Operations at the IESO. “We look forward to working with Convergent to learn how these innovative technologies can be best leveraged to ensure the reliable operation of the grid.”
This is the first of many energy storage projects Convergent is building in Ontario,” said Rittershausen. “Convergent is excited to be a part of creating value for local communities as well as the broader electricity grid. We are just at the beginning of using our energy storage assets to make electricity more reliable and cost-effective for customers all over Ontario.”
About Convergent Energy + Power
Convergent Energy + Power is a technology-neutral energy storage asset developer with experience across a wide range of projects, from commercial and industrial applications to grid-connected systems, including over 70 MWs and 230 MWhs of projects in operation, construction, or under contract to be built. The company manages all aspects of the energy storage asset development cycle, including project-specific opportunity identification and economic evaluation, contract and financial structuring, engineering-procurement-construction, as well as operations and maintenance.