"By investing $3.36 million in the Electrovaya electricity storage project, our Government is demonstrating its commitment to position Canada at the forefront of clean energy technology," said the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources. "This innovative project supports high quality jobs and encourages new technologies to help protect our environment for future generations."
"We are delighted to work with Electrovaya on this project." said Bob Brennan, CEO of Manitoba Hydro. "Using Electrovaya’s refurbished Lithium Ion batteries in this manner is an innovative and potential low cost energy storage solution. We believe that repurposed lithium ion battery technology has excellent potential for grid storage application. As well, the potential benefits of reducing diesel consumption in our Northern remote communities are very attractive to Manitoba Hydro."
"This project will give us insight into the complete re-use of Lithium Ion batteries," said Dr. Sankar Das Gupta, CEO, Electrovaya. "Our hope is that utilities will be able to take advantage of the significant number of the used batteries that will come into the market after the large scale introduction of plug-in electric vehicles." "By making the end product reusable by utility companies, we address two problems. First, Lithium Ion batteries become an even more environmentally sustainable product. And two, we help utility companies make wind and solar energy generation as reliable as hydro, nuclear, and coal".
Manitoba Hydro is a Crown Corporation and the province’s major energy utility. We export electricity to over 30 electric utilities through our participation in 4 wholesale markets in Canada and the mid-western United States and maintain a position of being among the lowest cost providers of domestic electricity rates in Canada. Our customer base includes 532,000 electric customers throughout Manitoba and 264,000 natural gas customers in various communities throughout southern Manitoba and we offer a wide range of energy services and programs to our customers, either directly or through our subsidiaries. Nearly all electricity we generate is from self-renewing water power from 14 hydroelectric generating stations, primarily on the Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Nelson rivers and we are the major distributor of natural gas in the province, delivering natural gas to nearly 100 communities in the province. Our capital base includes capital assets-in-service at original cost exceeding $12 billion, making us one of the largest energy utilities in Canada.
Natural Resources Canada seeks to enhance the responsible development and use of Canada’s natural resources and the competitiveness of Canada’s natural resources products. NRCan is an established leader in science and technology in the fields of energy, forests, and minerals and metals and uses its expertise in earth sciences to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of Canada’s landmass.
NRCan develops policies and programs that enhance the contribution of the natural resources sector to the economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians.
NRCan conduct innovative science in facilities across Canada to generate ideas and transfer technologies, and represents Canada at the international level to meet the country’s global commitments related to the sustainable development of natural resources.
Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL) designs, develops and manufactures proprietary Lithium Ion SuperPolymer® batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for the clean electric transportation, Utility Scale Energy Storage and smart grid power, consumer and healthcare markets. The Company’s mission is to accelerate clean transportation as a commercial reality with its advanced power system for all classes of zero-emission electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The Company’s other mission is to deliver Utility Scale Energy Storage Systems for the highest efficiency in electricity storage, whether the electricity is generated from intermittent wind and solar power or from other sources. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Electrovaya has production facilities in Canada as well as in the US, and customers around the globe.
