PowerStream eyes energy-storage project in Penetanguishene
System would help during power outages, company says

Simcoe.com
April 24, 2015
By Jenni Dunning

If there is a power outage in Penetanguishene, some residents may not notice.

This is because the town is working on an energy-storage and micro-grid project with PowerStream, the aim of which is to supply energy to 400-500 residential, commercial and industrial properties for up to 10 hours if the town’s main line cuts out.

“What makes this unique is this is a full-scale development and it will be seamless,” John Mulrooney, director of smart-grid technologies for PowerStream, told council Wednesday.

“This project will be the centre of excellence in North America micro-grid technologies.”

PowerStream hopes to set up a 15-by-30-metre energy-storage system on Robert Street East, across the road from the municipal station.

It will be large enough so visitors from around the world can stop by to see the technology at work, Mulrooney said.

Town hall and Georgian Bay General Hospital’s Penetanguishene site will be covered on this system, he said.

There are no plans to add a second micro-grid system to cover the entire town because it would likely increase residents’ energy bills, he added.

Mulrooney said PowerStream plans to incorporate “removable energy” into the system in Penetanguishene “probably after two years.” This would include energy sources such as wind, solar, batteries and natural gas.

During the meeting, Coun. Mike Lauder asked whether energy could also be harnessed from the waves of Georgian Bay, to which Mulrooney said, “Absolutely.”

PowerStream expects to launch the system this summer.