June 5, 2024,
Calgary Marriott Downtown
On June 5, 2024, the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) hosted its inaugural Energy Storage Alberta—CanREA Summit in downtown Calgary, bringing together nearly 200 industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the pivotal role of energy storage in Alberta’s evolving energy landscape.
The Summit provided in-depth insights into Alberta’s Restructured Energy Market (RES) and showcased innovative solutions and opportunities for energy storage in the region.
Against the backdrop of sweeping policy reforms and market dynamics in Alberta, attendees were privy to invaluable insights on energy storage from expert speakers during the full-day industry conference.
Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of CanREA, kicked off the summit with a warm welcome, setting the stage for the day’s discussions and emphasizing the importance of energy storage in Alberta’s future energy strategy.
Nathan Neudorf, Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the provincial government’s ongoing exploration of energy storage solutions.
The Summit also presented valuable networking opportunities for attendees, who were able to discuss the future of energy storage in Alberta while making valuable new connections.
The opening plenary session was moderated by Emma Graney. She was joined by Elias Soto and Nicole LeBlanc. Together, they explored the future of Alberta’s electricity market and the critical need for energy storage, discussing market reforms, regulatory changes, and the strategic importance of storage solutions.
In the first session, titled “Recipe for Reliability: Energy Storage in Alberta,” the discussion focused on how energy storage can enhance the reliability of Alberta’s grid, addressing challenges identified in the AESO’s 2023 Reliability Requirements Roadmap. Panelists shared insights into the various reliability solutions that energy storage can provide, such as ancillary services, frequency regulation, ramping support, voltage support, and black start capabilities.
Next was a session on “Revolutionizing the Grid: The Potential of Energy Storage for Wires in Alberta,” which outlined the new rules and potential benefits of energy storage for distribution and transmission utilities following the proclamation of The Electricity Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (formerly Bill 22). The panelists provided examples of successful implementations and discussed how utilities can leverage storage to reduce wires costs for customers.
The third panel, on “Arbitraging the Market: Energy Storage Market Opportunities in Alberta,” convened industry leaders who explored the transformative potential of energy storage solutions within Alberta’s energy sector. Led by Carissa Browning, the session provided a comprehensive overview of the Demand Opportunity Service (DOS) tariff and its implications for energy storage facilities. Esteemed panelists, including Akira Yamamoto, Tory Whiteside, Colette Chekerda, and Nizar Yousef, shared invaluable insights on leveraging energy storage to mitigate market volatility and optimize renewable resources.
The final session of the Summit, “Beyond the Battery: Innovative Energy Storage Technologies,” showcased the evolution of energy storage beyond conventional lithium-ion batteries. Moderator, Sara Hastings-Simon from the University of Calgary, and panelists Sarah Griffiths, Chris Owttrim, and Shaun Andrews, presented their pioneering energy storage solutions. Attendees were treated to an exclusive glimpse into the future of energy storage development, from long-duration storage to novel battery chemistries.
The Energy Storage Alberta—CanREA Summit provided valuable insights into the future of energy storage in Alberta. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the market changes, opportunities, and technological advancements that will drive Alberta towards a more reliable energy future.
The Summit also showcased a diverse array of case studies, illuminating the real-world impact of energy storage projects across Alberta. From enhancing grid reliability to unlocking new revenue streams, these success stories underscored the pivotal role of energy storage in driving tangible outcomes within Alberta’s energy transition.
The Alberta Energy Storage Summit was also the perfect prelude to CanREA’s networking reception, CanREA Connects—Alberta. See the event recap and photo album here.
Looking to attend a future CanREA event? Check out our full calendar of upcoming events here.
Thank you to our sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for their generous support in making CanREA’s event a resounding success: Silver Sponsors Enfinite and Northland Power, and Bronze Sponsors ATCOenergy and Bennett Jones.
Sponsorship opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available for CanREA events. Please view the sponsorship webpage here and contact Julie Mair, CanREA’s Director, Membership and Business Development, to discuss interesting ways you can stand out from the crowd as a sponsor and showcase your company as a leader in the industry.
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