March 29, 2024
Global Renewable News

TURNING POINT GENERATION
Turning Point Generation announces plans for Canyon Creek Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project near Hinton, Alberta

May 16, 2016

Turning Point Generation is pleased to announce our plans for the Canyon Creek Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project near Hinton, Alberta. The purpose of the project is to support further integration of renewable energy into the Alberta electrical system by providing cost effective renewable energy storage.

The project stores energy using the "Pumped Hydro Energy Storage" (PHES) process and technology. Quite simply, water is pumped up to a top reservoir where it is stored, then run back down to a lower reservoir through the same pipes and turbines to generate power.

We see this project as a major facilitator to support Alberta's renewable energy goals. Currently wind power comprises about 5% of Alberta's energy supply. To achieve the goal of 30% renewable power in Alberta there will be many challenges for power producers, the Alberta electrical system and Albertans. Energy storage can address energy market issues and electrical system issues that are created when large amounts of renewable power are connected and generating in Alberta. Albertans will benefit from cost-effective integration of renewable power once a robust energy storage component is connected and supporting the Alberta electrical system.

The project is to be constructed in Alberta and will benefit Albertans in a number of ways. Most importantly the project is essentially emissions free and will enable more renewable power in Alberta. It will support the power system and have a dampening effect on power price fluctuations. Also construction and construction services will be mainly Albertan. Budget is in the order of $200 million, the majority of which will be spent in Alberta.

We are still at the early stages for this project. We expect 2 years for pre-construction work and approximately 2 years for construction of the project. Being operational and on the grid by 2020, this works well to support Alberta's electrical system needs as coal plants start to come off line in 2019.

Pumped Hydro is the most efficient means to store large amounts of energy and is indeed by far the most common means of storing power for large electrical system applications. Pumped hydro is not a new technology, it actually is operating in many power systems around the world and successfully supporting electrical systems to integrate renewable energy. One pumped hydro energy storage project is in operation in Canada, near Niagara, and several developments are proposed in Canada and the US where the need to integrate renewable power is challenged by the economics and system needs for stable power.  

The Canyon Creek project is located approximately 15km northeast of Hinton, Alberta. It incorporates 2 purpose built reservoirs to store water in a closed loop system. Water is continuously pumped up and run down and is not connected to existing watercourses thus minimizing the impact on the environment and fisheries. The project will store more than three times the amount of power stored in the world's largest chemical battery system. 

About Turning Point Generation

TPG is an Alberta company, founded 4 years ago to research and develop pumped hydro energy storage in Alberta. It is led by engineers with significant hydro and wind energy experience. Having established a healthy pipeline of energy storage projects, TPG has recently shifted its focus from site prospecting to site development and we believe the Canyon Creek project is one of the best locations in Alberta, and Canada for such a project.

We are proud to be a part of a made in Alberta energy solution. We believe Alberta has the capacity to develop much more of our renewable energy resources and it's great to see this happening in Hinton.

For more information

Turning Point Generation

www.turningpointgeneration.ca