A Ryerson University-led pilot project demonstrating the promise of “pole-top” energy storage – that is, storage units designed to be mounted on wooden distribution system power poles – was unveiled November 18 at the university’s Centre for Urban Energy (CUE) by the Hon. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
The announcement is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between Ryerson, Scarborough, Ont.-based company eCamion and Toronto Hydro. The Government of Ontario is supporting the project through the Ministry of Energy’s Smart Grid Fund initiative.
In the first-of-its-kind project, eCamion’s modular storage solution, mounted on an electricity pole in an urban environment where space is at a premium, has been combined with a smart controller developed by Ryerson researchers and students that communicates with downstream smart meters of connected residences. The energy storage unit employs lithium-ion batteries which charge during off-peak hours and discharge during peak hours.
The project will test the capabilities of energy storage on the Toronto Hydro grid. Potential benefits to Ontario residents and businesses could include improved system reliability, further integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging stations, as well as reduced usage during peak hours, potentially leading to a cleaner and more cost-effective grid. The first unit will be mounted on a Toronto Hydro pole later this year.
“Toronto Hydro is happy to support innovative ways of integrating new technologies into our current electrical grid,” said Gary Thompson, Lead, Generation and Capacity Planning, Toronto Hydro. “It’s important for us to invest in technology like energy storage that can help improve customer reliability and plan for a smart future.”
The project will also showcase ‘Made in Ontario’ technologies. eCamion is a local company out of Scarborough, Ont. The controller and other prototypes that have contributed to this project were all developed in the GTA and will be pursued for worldwide collaboration.