B.C. funds mobile battery and solar pilot at Abbotsford to strengthen aviation response

B.C. Aviation Backup Power Pilot will test a mobile battery and solar system at Abbotsford International Airport to replace diesel generators, enable aircraft charging, and boost general aviation emergency response and grid resilience.

British Columbia is backing a field test that targets diesel-free backup power for general aviation. As much as $1 million will support Abbotsford-based Fast Air in deploying a mobile battery and solar power system developed by Richmond-based Holinova at the Abbotsford International Airport. The objective is to maintain mission-critical aviation services during grid disruptions, reduce on-site emissions, and demonstrate a scalable model for resilient fixed-base operator infrastructure.

The mobile system is designed to power ground equipment and meet aircraft charging needs without relying on the grid. By pairing stationary battery storage with portable solar generation, the project aims to replace traditional diesel generators, improve charging efficiency, and support flexible aircraft movements during demand peaks or service interruptions. The pilot aligns with broader regional decarbonization efforts, including work around vancouver clean energy, while focusing specifically on aviation operations at Abbotsford.

Fast Airs Abbotsford facility serves aircraft that support wildfire response, medical transport, and search and rescue. Reliable electricity for ground operations is essential in these emergency scenarios, and the pilot is designed to keep servicing and turnaround activities moving when local conditions strain the grid. For readers following interprovincial market context, bc ab electricity benefits provides additional background on regional power dynamics relevant to system flexibility, separate from the pilot itself.

The Integrated Marketplace is providing funding under the Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed. This is the second project contracted within that testbed and forms part of the Provinces Look West strategy to help innovators validate and scale solutions in real operating environments. The Integrated Marketplace was created in 2023 in partnership with PacifiCan and includes investment commitments of as much as $41.5 million from the Province and $11.7 million from the Government of Canada through PacifiCan, with seven testbeds established across B.C. For international policy context on clean energy transitions, readers may wish to review canada germany hydrogen for background content.

According to the project scope, Holinovas technology is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while sustaining critical air services, provide a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel backup power, and improve operational reliability and efficiency. The pilot is also intended to support faster responses during wildfires, medical emergencies, and rescues by keeping ground support activities powered and aircraft ready. Readers interested in seasonal grid stress issues can explore bc drought energy production for broader context on electricity system conditions that can heighten the value of resilient on-site power.

Beyond immediate emergency-readiness goals, the Abbotsford deployment is positioned as a template that other general aviation facilities across Canada can evaluate for portability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Experience gained through testing and data collection will inform potential adoption pathways at comparable sites. Additional perspective on operational continuity planning is available in bc hydro coronavirus, offering related background on resilience-focused practices across the electricity sector.

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