Irrigation partnership group looks to build battery storage system
By Medicine Hat News on January 30, 2024.
@MedicineHatNews A subsidiary of the St. Mary’s Irrigation District has applied to build a battery storage system near a hydro power facility it operates. Irrican, a 35-year-old power partnership between SMRID and Raymond Irrigation District, plans to install a Tesla 15.4-megawatt battery system near a canal drop and generating system about 6 kilometres south of Raymond in Warner County. On Jan 26, it formally applied to the Alberta Utilities Commission to build the “eBar” project that, if approved, could be in operation in Feb. 2025. According to the filing, the purchase of the lithium-ion battery components include a recycling agreement with the manufacturer and Irrican has submitted a fire response plan that could be considered during the approval process. Power would be stored in the system then sold on to the grid or used internally during times of high pricing or low supply. There is not yet a published timetable for the AUC proceedings. 8-7
