NCC is part of Renewable Energy Microgrid Testing Centre involving Canadian Solar and Electrovaya.

If Electrovaya not involved bad news.

http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/smart-grid-fund/smart-grid-fund-projects/canadian-solar/

Project Objective

The Renewable energy (RE) Microgrid Test Centre will provide testing and validation services for new microgrid system components and controls to achieve high energy penetration of RE resources. In support of the critical field implementation, the Test Centre will take a holistic approach to provide community energy plans, optimal design and feasibility assessment services. As each smart microgrid system is unique, the Test Centre will be able to simulate each proposed smart RE microgrid with its unique characteristics under near real life conditions. This will allow for verification of steady state and dynamic performance including stability, reliability, power quality and safety of the microgrid system in both islanded and grid connected modes.

Further, the RE Microgrid Test Centre’s approach to solution development will address problems associated with remote and islanded microgrids, including high and continually increasing diesel cost, low efficiency, low power security and environmental risks associated with the use of diesel.

Company Background

Canadian Solar Inc. is one of the leading solar manufacturers in the world, delivering industry leading high efficiency solar cells, solar modules, solar power systems and off grid solar power application solutions. With manufacturing facilities in Canada and China, Canadian Solar has a total module production capacity of 2.4GW. In the past 12 years, Canadian Solar has been working closely with over 1000 customers in over 70 countries, delivering over 6GW of solar modules. Some of these modules are installed in Canadian Solar’s facility that won 2012 Solar Project of the Year award; some are used by tens of thousands of families in their off grid small solar home systems for daily lighting.

Benefit(s) to Ontario Residents and Businesses

The RE Microgrid Test Centre will be unique in the world, as it focuses on testing, developing and integrating high penetration renewable energy solutions into existing microgrid assets which are dependent on diesel fuel and located in off-grid settings.

First Nations and remote communities will benefit from the solutions emerging from the RE Microgrid Test Centre, including reducing reliance on diesel, providing clean and reliable sources of locally generated energy, empowering First Nations, remote communities and large development projects to develop and sell local renewable energy.

It will also allow mines and other industries operating in remote locations to reduce their energy costs and reduce environment risk, thereby further spurring local economic opportunities.

Project Collaborators

• University of Waterloo will consult and advise the RE Microgrid Test Centre on its project activities. The Centre will be open to the University for education and research purposes and the University will help provide engineering design assessments, participate in various review stages of projects, and provide comments and suggestions as the project proceeds.
• NCC Development LP will bring First Nations clients from across Ontario and Canada to the RE Microgrid Test Centre and assist in coordinating Test Centre activities by taking the First Nations through staged tests developed by the RE Microgrid Test Centre.
• Kinectrics Inc will provide expert technical engineering support services in areas such as conceptual design of the RE Microgrid Test Centre, equipment selection, power system impact assessment and standard test designs.
• Electrovaya Inc will supply and install battery storage systems and integrate the energy storage system to the RE Microgrid Test Centre.
• Guelph Hydro Inc is the local electricity utility and will provide engineering and design services to Canadian Solar.
• Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. will offer technical and practical advice on how microgrid solutions can help to reduce the use of diesel fuel in the north.