RoseWater Energy Storage Hub Backs New PowerStream Microgrid Project in Ontario

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – December 9, 2013 — RoseWater Energy Group, a provider of next-generation energy storage products, recently participated in the official unveiling of a fully operational microgrid project featuring RoseWater’s Energy Storage Hub and managed by Ontario-based utility company, PowerStream.

The debut of the new microgrid was part of a special event conducted by PowerStream to outline its proof-of-concept trial—one of the first of its kind in North America—to evaluate the performance of specific power conditions across a major utility grid. This demonstration coincides with rising support and interest throughout North America for smart grid development to leverage emerging technology throughout the energy sector.

The new microgrid will work in much the same way as PowerStream’s widely-distributed grid, but instead of wasting energy through the distribution of electricity to sometimes millions of customers at the same time—even when its not needed—the microgrid’s power distribution can be scaled and customized to meet the specific needs of communities or even individual customers.

“We believe that microgrid technology will provide our customers with safe, sustainable and reliable choices for meeting their energy needs.” said Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. “This is why PowerStream is on the forefront of testing the use of micro grid technology.”

The RoseWater Energy Storage Hub was carefully selected for this innovative field trial thanks to the Hub’s unique capabilities that will allow PowerStream to test the performance of renewable energy during peak power periods. Chief among the RoseWater Hub’s features that were of interest to the utility provider was its ability to allow energy consumers to participate in demand/response programs and even go off-grid.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to play a vital role in this groundbreaking trial,” said Mario Bottero, RoseWater Energy Group co-founder and director. “Energy storage plays a critical role in the success of any microgrid and we are confident that the RoseWater Energy Storage Hub is the perfect solution for being able to provide ‘on demand’ power. Utilities, engineers and energy consumers worldwide will be able to benefit from the findings of this demonstration.”

The RoseWater Energy Hub is a complete energy management system, providing a reliable alternative to widely-distributed utility power—which can experience voltage spikes and power surges that can permanently damage critical technology systems including valuable electronics, home security and “smart home” control technologies—and conditioning all in-coming power to connected homes, including that from renewables.

The Energy Storage Hub also takes an agnostic approach to battery support.  The Power Stream project incorporated two of the Rosewater Hubs; One using a lithium ion battery system and the other a Sodium Nickel Battery developed by General Electric. This unique trait of battery modularity allows utility companies and electronic systems contractors to properly specify and incorporate the perfect battery solution based on factors like local climates, the physical location of the Hub, battery life cycles and the specific demands of the connected systems.

The PowerStream microgrid will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, already in progress, will allow PowerStream to draw electricity from several sources, including a solar array, a wind turbine, natural-gas generator, solar-assisted carport charging station as well as Lead Acid, Lithium Ion and Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries, to provide electricity for the company’s corporate offices.

Other corporate partners participating in this impressive field trail include General Electric, Enbridge, Enviro-Energy Technologies, Navigant Consulting, renewz sustainable solutions and SMA.

The PowerStream trials follow the results of a study conducted by Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario—and also supported by PowerStream—to evaluate the impact of a widely distributed energy storage system backed by RoseWater’s Energy Storage Hub on an electrical grid. Load shifting was identified as a main benefit in the conclusion of the study, confirming the critical value of residential storage in smoothing out power demand by storing energy when demand is low and releasing it when demand is high.

For more information on RoseWater Energy, visit http://www.rosewaterenergy.com.

About RoseWater Energy Group:

RoseWater Energy Group provides innovative energy storage systems to governments, utilities, industries, and residential consumers. RoseWater works with their clients to design, build, integrate and manage energy storage power system assets specific to their needs. Focusing on both large and small energy storage applications, RoseWater is committed to cultivating cutting-edge technologies and working with leading manufacturers across a broad global network. Created through the innovation and expertise of individuals that came together to form an energy storage consortium, RoseWater’s mission is to create the next generation renewable integrated smart grid systems leveraging a wide array of battery storage technologies.

About PowerStream:

PowerStream is a community-owned energy services company providing power and related solutions to more than 355,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.