Demand-side response via energy storage will decrease the College’s Global Adjustment Charge, which is a fee billed to all hydro customers in the province under Ontario’s 2009 Green Energy Act. These charges are typically 60% of the total annual electricity bill.
Wärtsilä said the energy system is scheduled to be delivered, installed and commissioned in autumn 2020.
System controlled by GEMS
The system includes GridSolv solution with lithium ion batteries, inverters, and all balance of plant equipment. Controlled by Wärtsilä’s GEMS energy management, the batteries are charged when the electrical load is less than a pre-determined limit, and discharged during peak loads. The system responds to price fluctuation, minimizes power consumption from the grid and also adapts to higher winter energy demand.
“Ontario is committed to achieving a sustainable power supply and conforming with this objective by seeking a zero-emissions solution was important to us,” said Angela Lockridge, Georgian College Vice President. “The Wärtsilä energy storage solution will help to reduce the College’s electricity costs while supporting Ontario’s climate change mitigation strategies.”
The system will be used in Ontario for effective power management. “Managed by our advanced GEMS software, it is an efficient means for controlling demand charge type costs (and) responds to peak discharge events to cover the load,” said Wärtsilä’s Risto Paldanius, Director Energy Storage and Optimisation.