Behind the Curtain of an Energy Emergency Alert

Several news articles were recently published detailing the Alberta energy emergency alert issued on January 13th. Many of the articles stipulated what ‘should be done’ to prevent these energy emergencies in the future. However, they did not offer a firsthand account of the behind-the-scenes occurrences during the emergency and the insights it provided regarding our energy supply mix. Here’s Enfinite’s brief account during the recent energy emergency.

In The Background

From January 11th to the morning of the 15th, extreme cold conditions put the Alberta Integrated Electrical System into four Level 3 energy emergency alerts (EEA), the highest level that can be declared by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). What does this mean? 

As defined by the AESO, there are 3 types of EEA events:

• EEA 1: All available assets in use
• EEA2: Load management procedure in effect
• EEA3: Firm load interruption imminent or in progress
• EEA0:  Termination of previous energy emergency alerts

Throughout this time, Enfinite’s operations staff and dispatch partners were all hands-on deck to keep our assets running and supporting the grid. The teams navigated fuel supply issues and the freezing temperatures to maximize the output from our Alberta based 65MW of natural gas fired generation. These assets became critical through the late afternoon and evening hours as demand increased, and supply was stressed.

Call to Action

On the evening of January 13th, the EEA3 escalated to the point the AESO alerted the Alberta Emergency Alert System which triggered a notice to Albertans. Citizens were urged to promptly restrict their electricity consumption to essential needs only due to the imminent threat of rotating power outages. During this critical time Enfinite’s eReserve energy storage assets were called to action. These assets are considered one of the last lines of defense to prevent rolling blackouts.

The above screenshot displays the output from all our eReserve assets at 6:10 pm on January 13th. This was a historic moment for both Alberta and Enfinite as this marked the highest output from energy storage to the system. At this critical moment, our energy storage assets were injecting 126 MW. This helped to buy the system some time until supply and demand on the electrical grid stabilized.  

What we Learned

The synergy between natural gas assets as the foundational support and energy storage as the peak proved essential in navigating the challenges of a demanding period for the electrical system. This underscores the significance of a diverse energy supply mix. While extreme weather conditions pose challenges for all assets, diversity guarantees the capability to meet varying demands.

What we learned through this emergency: there is no universal solution for ensuring energy security. Fortunately, Alberta is well-positioned with access to diverse energy sources, each contributing to achieving an electrified future. 

About Enfinite

Enfinite is a North American leader in energy storage and currently is the largest battery operator in Canada. Enfinite provides innovative and impactful energy solutions that solve critical issues facing the energy infrastructure to create a more resilient, stable, and sustainable power grid so we can live our lives without disruption. Enfinite’s foundation of high-level technical expertise and operational excellence matched with innovative energy solutions not only enhances but seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure. By making this journey more seamless, Enfinite is Powering Progress towards a more reliable and sustainable energy future. For more information,  visit wcsbpower.flywheelstaging.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Palmer
Communications Manager
Email: Kpalmer@enfinite.com
Phone: (403) 710-4005