TransAlta Renewables Inc.’s WindCharger battery storage project has begun commercial operation.
WindCharger is Alberta’s first utility-scale, lithium-ion energy storage project, utilizing Tesla Megapack technology. It has a nameplate capacity of 10MW and total storage capacity of 20MWh.
“We want to thank Tesla for working with us on this exciting project. The completion of the WindCharger project is an important milestone as we progress towards our goal of providing clean, reliable and low-cost energy solutions to our customers,” said John Kousinioris, president of TransAlta. “This technology shows strong commercial potential and this particular installation has enough capacity to power all the homes in nearby Pincher Creek for approximately 90 minutes on only one charge.”
This technology can be fully charged in approximately two hours, and will be powered by TransAlta’s Summerview II wind farm.
The project, acquired from TransAlta Corporation in August, has a total capital cost of approximately $14.5 million, with approximately 50 per cent funded through Emissions Reduction Alberta.
As part of the acquisition, TransAlta will pay a fixed monthly capacity charge for the right to operate and dispatch the battery in the Alberta market.
