GE and PowerStream launch Canadian microgrid project

Cospp.com
April 7, 2014
By Tildy Bayar

GE and community-owned energy firm PowerStream have launched a joint microgrid demonstration project at PowerStream’s headquarters in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

PowerStream built the microgrid with engineering design services from GE. The system integrates power from a 1.8 kW wind turbine, 81 x 210 W solar panels and a 5 kW solar carport, a 35 kW natural gas-fueled generator, and battery energy storage including a 23 kW lead-acid battery, a 12 kW lithium ion battery and a 6 kW sodium nickel chloride battery. It also features a 14.4 kW electric vehicle charger.

The system will provide the office with on-site power for lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration and vehicle charging, while GE’s microgrid control system will allow PowerStream to monitor, track and forecast load, generation and storage resources, the companies said.

Juan Macias, general manager, grid automation for GE’s Digital Energy business, said, ‘By maximising the use of distributed energy resources, PowerStream will be able to provide power in the most economical method possible.’

Brian Bentz, PowerStream’s president and CEO, commented, ‘Microgrid technology is an innovative distributed power solution that will provide consumers with safe, sustainable and reliable energy choices for both generation and consumption.’