Gas company eyes power entry

By Medicine Hat News on February 24, 2024.

Medicine Hat News

The company that operates large natural gas storage and deliveries in southern Alberta is applying to build two electrical battery storage facilities in the province.

Rockpoint Gas Storage is the majority owner and operator of the AECO Gas Storage Partnership, and has applied to construct a 40-megawatt battery facility near Countess and another 22-megawatt facility near Vegreville.

Both would be located on the sites of gas plants it operates and would draw from and put power back on to the Alberta gird, according to applications filed Thursday with the Alberta Utilities Commission.

A 40-megawatt maximum storage capacity could provide a discharge of 20 megawatt hours of power for two-hour period.

The Tesla megapack systems would be placed on new gravel pads and be subject to recycling requirements in contracts with the supplier, Rockpoint states.

It also operates the AECO gas hub at Suffield.

The Countess Gas Storage facility is located in Wheatland County, north of Cluny.

There is no set dates yet for the AUC to consider the matter or garner public feedback.