In a milestone achievement, Saturn Power Inc. has earned approval to participate in the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Operating Reserve market via an operational behind-the-meter (BTM) battery energy storage facility controlled by Peak Power’s innovative energy management software.

Peak Power is a cleantech company with a core focus in Energy Management and Energy Storage. Saturn Power is a renewable energy developer and operator specializing in Solar and Energy Storage project development, financing, and operation. Saturn Power and Peak Power collaborated to develop a custom solution to enable BTM distribution-connected energy storage projects to offer Operating Reserve capability. The solution employs the Peak Synergy energy management software paired with Saturn’s 8.8 MW / 19 MWh operating battery energy storage project located in Southwestern Ontario. The BTM battery commenced operation in Operating Reserve in July 2022 and received official approval from the IESO after successful testing.

The IESO procures Operating Reserve services for energy supply contingency. If required by the IESO, the Operating Reserve market enables participants to provide standby power at a short notice. These services are called upon when there is a disparity between generation and load. Facilities participating in the Operating Reserve market must be able to quickly supply power and sustain as directed by the IESO.

Up until now, BTM assets have faced challenges to meet the rigorous operating requirements for the Operating Reserve market - however, the innovative software solution within Peak Synergy has allowed for this breakthrough. This milestone demonstrates that BTM energy storage could play a role in providing viable solutions to support IESO’s mandate of reliably operating the grid.

“We’re thrilled to once again be at the forefront of the clean energy transition in Ontario,” says Derek Lim Soo, CEO of Peak Power. “Thanks to our partnership with Saturn Power, we’ve demonstrated that BTM assets can participate in Operating Reserve, provided they have the right technology. Saturn Power will, meanwhile, benefit from having reserve energy immediately available without having to ramp up fossil fuel resources, furthering their clean energy goals.”

“Saturn Power strives to operate on the cutting edge of renewable energy technology, with our dedicated team members working hard to develop the tools and relationships that allow us to understand and implement the technology in a viable and mutually beneficial manner” said Doug Wagner, President & CEO, Saturn Power. “Working closely with Peak Power on this innovative distributed resource for Operating Reserve in the Province is further evidence of what is possible in the renewable energy sector when determination, collaboration and ingenuity are combined. We are proud that this project will serve a foundational role in the efforts to create a sustainable environment for future generations”.

Given its pioneering status in Canada, this milestone achievement brings visibility for further storage integration opportunities in the IESO market and is an important case study for the storage industry in the country.

Peak Power | https://peakpowerenergy.com/energy-solutions/energy-storage-optimization/

Saturn Power | https://www.saturnpower.com/storage

Operating Reserve | https://www.ieso.ca/