Ice Energy chosen for storage project

Ice Bear energy storage uses off-peak electricity to freeze thermal energy, shifting daytime air-conditioning loads, cutting peak demand, boosting grid reliability, and advancing Ontario Power Authority Conservation Fund pilots with Veridian and Toronto Hydro.

Ice Energy has announced a new distributed energy storage project with Canadian-based utility Veridian Connections that will help lower summer peak electrical demand in the Eastern Ontario region.

The pilot project is funded by a grant from the Ontario Power Authority under its Conservation Fund program, which supports the development of a reliable and sustainable electricity system by funding innovative conservation programs and storage in Ontario's electricity system that can be scaled to achieve significant energy savings in the Province of Ontario.

By leveraging the benefits of more efficient nighttime power generation, storing it directly on individual buildings, and dispatching it during times of peak demand, Ice Energy's Ice Bear energy storage solution, with a 5 million hours of operation track record, enables utilities to use off-peak energy to meet daytime air conditioning demand, the single largest contributor to peak summer loads.

"Energy storage systems like the Ice Bear have the potential to help customers and utilities improve energy system efficiency and, as battery storage in Ontario expands, grid reliability," said Michael Angemeer, President and CEO of Veridian. "The pilot presents an opportunity to better understand the contribution this technology can provide to shifting peak demand and reducing greenhouse gasses, and we're proud to be part of this innovative project with the Ontario Power Authority."

"Through its leadership in innovative energy conservation programs like this one, it's clear Veridian is committed to helping its customers to conserve electricity and save money," said Chris Tomasini, Business Development Manager for Ice Energy. "By enabling commercial customers to shift cooling loads to lower priced off-peak electricity rates, the Ice Bear pilot demonstrates Veridian's commitment to finding innovative solutions that will form the cornerstone of the sustainable communities of tomorrow. We're pleased to have them as our partner in Eastern Ontario for this groundbreaking project."

With the introduction of the Green Energy Act, the Ontario Power Authority's funding guidelines were updated to allow local distribution companies LDCs to apply for pilot project support through its Conservation Fund, as the province faces an electricity supply crunch in the years ahead. Veridian, along with Toronto Hydro, are the first LDCs to take advantage of the change – receiving $350,000 in funding. A total of 12 Ice Bear units will be installed within the utilities' respective service areas.

"Ontario is leading the way to a cleaner, reliable and sustainable electricity system, from our feed-in tariff program for renewable energy, to our portfolio of conservation programs, and the new Hydrogen Innovation Fund supporting next-generation storage," said Colin Andersen, Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario Power Authority. "The Conservation Fund provides a crucial forum for those harnessing the potential of innovative approaches to conservation, offsetting the future need to build expensive generation and giving Ontario a cleaner, greener tomorrow. We are proud to contribute to this successful project."

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