Canadian Solar to deliver battery energy storage solutions to Texas, Nova Scotia

Canadian Solar to deliver battery energy storage solutions to Texas, Nova Scotia
(The Crimson Energy Storage project entered service in October 2022. Credit: BLM/Canadian Solar)

Canadian Solar Inc. is keeping the news wires buzzing following the 4th of July holiday, making a pair of major announcements involving battery energy storage systems.

On Tuesday, Canadian Solar announced e-STORAGE, a part of the company’s majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar Co., Ltd., has secured a contract from Aypa Power to deliver a 498 MWh DC standalone battery energy storage system for Aypa’s Bypass Project, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2025.

Strategically located in Fort Bend County near Thompsons, Texas, the Bypass Project will support the growing energy demand of the greater Houston area. It will utilize 106 units of e-STORAGE’s latest battery energy storage solution, SolBank 3.0. The batteries will be paired with 65 power conversion systems and controllers. Each SolBank battery delivers 5 MWh of energy capacity in a 20-foot standardized container, featuring high-density lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry battery cells, an active balancing battery management system, and an innovative liquid cooling thermal management system to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with e-STORAGE on the Bypass Project,” said Moe Hajabed, DEO of Aypa Power. “Utilizing their SolBank 3.0 technology, this project will enhance grid resiliency and support Houston’s growing energy needs. This collaboration underscores Aypa’s commitment to deploying efficient and dependable energy solutions. We look forward to the Bypass Project’s successful delivery and the positive impact it will have on strengthening the Texas grid.”

After integrating and commissioning the project to commercial operation, e-STORAGE will provide ongoing operational support for the project under a Long-Term Service Agreement (LTSA).

Colin Parkin, president of e-STORAGE, also expressed his satisfaction with the deal, which is his company’s third project with Aypa Power. “This brings our total commitment to providing Aypa with over 1.3 GWh of integrated energy storage capacity,” he said. “Our ongoing collaboration with Aypa highlights our commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable energy storage solutions, meeting the diverse needs of our partners’ projects and communities.”

On Monday, e-STORAGE announced it had secured a contract from Nova Scotia Power to develop flagship energy storage projects across three locations in Nova Scotia, Canada, in Bridgewater, Waverley, and White Rock.

Construction of the projects, totaling 150 MW / 705 MWh DC, will be completed by the end of 2026, and the first site is expected to be operational in 2025. e-STORAGE will provide comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services and long-term service agreements (LTSA).

“These grid-scale battery energy storage projects will help maintain system reliability during Nova Scotia’s clean energy transition, delivering safe and clean energy when needed,” noted Peter Gregg, president of Nova Scotia Power.

e-STORAGE’s Parkin added, “We are thrilled to partner with Nova Scotia Power on these innovative energy storage projects, contributing to provincial and federal targets of achieving 80% renewables by 2030. As Canadians, we are committed to making a significant environmental impact at home while empowering our clients to shift electricity generation to long-term renewable energy sources. We are proud to be setting a precedent for North America, creating local jobs, and enhancing grid reliability.”