Yukon Energy announced on Thursday that its highly anticipated grid-scale battery initiative will not be operational in time for the upcoming winter season. Despite an optimistic press release issued in April, indicating progress on the project, a recent update revealed a shift in the timeline.
The Canadian Standards Association, an independent entity conducting safety inspections, had previously provided positive feedback during a site visit, instilling confidence in the project’s timely completion by summer. However, Yukon Energy disclosed that the project’s contractor, SunGrid, has reported uncertainties regarding the project’s timeline.
Keely Bass, a spokesperson for Yukon Energy, stated, “We’ve recently received information from SunGrid indicating some uncertainties with the project timelines.” Despite efforts to seek clarification through an interview request, SunGrid did not respond.
This setback represents a delay in a project initially slated for completion in 2022. Once operational, the initiative aims to position the territory as a key player in grid-connected battery technology within the country.
The project’s primary objective is to facilitate Yukon’s transition away from diesel reliance, enhance renewable energy utilization, and manage fluctuations in electricity supply and demand. The grid-connected batteries are designed to charge during periods of low demand, like nighttime, and discharge power as needed later on.
Bass highlighted, “The battery can deliver up to 17 megawatts of power concurrently and sustain it for about two hours, assisting in meeting peak electricity demands, supporting grid stability during outages, and storing energy for peak usage times.”
The commissioning and testing of the battery system are scheduled for the winter months, with ongoing collaboration between Yukon Energy and SunGrid to establish a revised project timeline. Despite the battery project delay, Yukon Energy assures that additional diesel generators will be available to generate an additional 5.2 megawatts of power this winter compared to the previous year.
The utility’s proactive measures aim to mitigate potential energy supply challenges, especially in light of past incidents where the grid nearly reached its capacity.