Enfinite’s eReserve battery energy storage facilities are changing the face of the power industry in Alberta. How is this being accomplished, and how did we contribute to the success of the project?
Enfinite’s eReserves provide stable and reliable power - when it counts.
As we move into the future, energy storage has become a key component of sustainability and reliability in the energy industry. From May to December 2023, we collaborated with the power generation and energy storage owner and operator Enfinite on the construction of their eReserves7 & 8 battery energy systems (BESF) facilities in Wapiti, Alberta – providing proactive security services and timelapse video production.
Enfinite is a North American leader in energy storage and is currently the largest battery operator in Canada. Their mission is to create a more reliable and sustainable power grid and that mission is driven through their energy storage facilities. Their facilities are powered by lithium-ion batteries and leverage that energy to provide stable electricity to the power grid. The primary principle behind battery storage is that it holds energy generated and distributed today and releases that energy to the distribution system during peak demand periods when customers rely on power the most. (1)
In a recent energy emergency, Enfinite’s eReserves became one of the last lines of defense for the Alberta power grid. In January 2024, extreme cold conditions in the province led to an emergency situation where the grid became unstable. Enfinite’s eReserves were called to action to re-establish stability and avoid rolling blackouts, and through a combination of natural gas assets, hydro and energy storage, the emergency was resolved. The numbers behind battery energy storage systems don’t lie – the 180 MW energy capacity of Enfinite’s eReserves can provide power to approximately 383,000 homes for over an hour, at times when it is needed most. The battery energy storage facilities have a very small environmental footprint, each only covering less than 1 ½ acres of land. (2)
The benefits of the eReserves not only impact Alberta’s power grid, but the improved stability of the grid allows for customers to benefit from lower utility bills – providing sustainable and affordable power for the people of Alberta.
"Caliber Communications' remote video monitoring service was instrumental in safeguarding Enfinite's eReserves during construction, providing real-time security and peace of mind. Their proactive approach and attention to detail ensured a secure and safe environment throughout the project with no incidents. Additionally, they provided a captivating timelapse video showcasing the construction journey, reflecting their commitment to excellence. I highly recommend Caliber for their exceptional service, dedication, and professionalism which added to our construction experience."
– Danielle Carr, Project Manager – Development & Projects, Enfinite
A proactive energy security solution that can protect battery storage facilities.
Caliber was entrusted with providing proactive energy security for the eReserves 7 & 8, leveraging our revolutionary security technology to protect the site.
Our team deployed our Solar Video Security Unit, which is ideal for remote locations where there is no traditional power connection on-site. The Solar Video Security Unit was equipped with two stationary cameras to provide perimeter protection and situational awareness, while a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera was also utilized to zoom in on important details and capture video evidence. As with all our security devices, our Solar Video Security Unit harnessed the power of our proprietary cellular LTE+ platform, which operates free of wired Internet infrastructure that was not available at the remote eReserves 7 & 8 sites in Wapiti, Alberta.
Timelapse video production captured every step of the progress.
Enfinite also entrusted Caliber to provide a timelapse video of the entire eReserve project being constructed. We leveraged our cutting-edge camera technology and timelapse production skills to display the entire scope of the construction of the eReserve from start to finish. Our Service and Logistics teams established the vantage point of our 4K timelapse camera, which then photographed the site in 15-minute intervals for the duration of the project. We then meticulously filtered, edited, & compiled those images into a video montage that compressed months of images into just one minute of footage, showcasing the construction of the eReserve facility as it happened.
We are proud to have provided proactive security and timelapse videography services for Enfinite and their eReserve facilities. Through battery energy storage, the province of Alberta is well poised for a bright and sustainable future.
Resources:
- “Enfinite eReserve 7/8 Battery Energy Storage Facility”, Enfinite.com, February 2022
- “Behind the Curtain of an Energy Emergency Alert,” Enfinite.com