Benefits of battery storage

On our isolated grid, one of the main challenges we face is meeting large demands for electricity (known as peak demands) during winter months, when water levels are low and customers need for electricity is high. That’s why we have liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel engine generators. We turn to them when there’s not enough water to generate the electricity Yukoners need.

With a new battery on our grid, we can store extra electricity when there’s low demand for it and then use it when demand goes up.

Other benefits of the grid-scale battery storage system include the following:

• It’s a sustainable solution. The battery storage system uses renewable electricity meet peak demands for power.
• Restores power outages faster. By always being “on,” the battery storage system serves as a quick and easy source of electricity that can be turned on at the flip of a switch in a power outage.
• Improves grid reliability. Using the battery storage system during sudden outages or an unexpected decrease in electricity demand helps ensure grid stability.
• Supports intermittent renewable sources. The battery storage system will help support the safe integration of new intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. 
• Cuts carbon emissions. The battery storage system is expected to reduce carbon emissions in Yukon by more than 20,000 tonnes between 2023 and 2043.
• Maximizes the output of our hydro resources. Using the battery storage system to meet sudden changes in the amount of electricity Yukoners need means we don’t have to rely on our hydro units to do this. We can generate more hydro power than before.