Edmonton Blatchford homes forming virtual power plant 

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    Builders are planning to install batteries charged by solar panels into 100 new homes in Blatchford, forming a virtual power plant that send energy to the electrical grid.

    By Lauren Boothby

    Some new homes in Blatchford are connecting to create Edmonton’s first virtual power plant fuelled by solar energy.

    The  system is among the first being developed in the country which stores power from solar panels in batteries, sending extra energy back into the electrical grid.

    Local builder Landmark is planning to install batteries in 100 new homes with special metres from Epcor — eight homes built so far.

    Kelly Tallas with Solartility — the company coordinating the energy — said it’s the beginning of a new decentralized energy model in Canada that benefits consumers, the environment, and could give more stability to electrical grid.

    “For decades, energy has flowed one way,” he said. “The impact of this innovation is profound. For consumers it means lower energy bills – with potential savings up to 30 per cent. It means greater energy independence, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The project received $3.3 million from Emissions Reductions Alberta. CEO Justin Riemer hopes this is a chance to see how this model could work elsewhere in the province in the future.

    “Homes don’t just have to be consumers of electricity. They can produce it, they can store it, and they can share back on the grid,” he said. “This network of power-generating homes functions as a power plant, only smarter, cleaner and more cost-effective. This is Alberta’s first real test of how a virtual power plant can operate at scale.”

    Homeowner Rebecca Calder said the chance to live in an environmentally-friendly home, and help the electricity system, is appealing.

    “It’s going to sound so cheesy, but I like sharing. I like the idea that we are powering without putting out any harm into the environment,” she said. “I like that idea that we can take that good and give it back to others”

    Landmark hopes to have most of the homes built by the end of next year.

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