BC Hydro debuts advanced virtual power plants project
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Canadian utility BC Hydro is leading a new project under its Power Smart portfolio to transform homes in two communities into virtual power plants (VPPs), offering uninterrupted power to customers while strengthening the flexibility of the electricity grid.
The virtual power plants project will begin with the installation of 200 residential batteries in BC Hydro customer homes located in Sun Peaks, near Kamloops, and Harrison Mills in Mission.
These batteries, in coordination, will switch to backup power during outages and supply stored energy during peak demand, benefiting a network of customers in these communities.
As part of the project, eligible customers will receive an all-Canadian Eguana Technologies Evolve LFP 14kWh/5kW battery. BC Hydro will manage the battery’s operation remotely to ensure optimal performance during high demand.
Commenting in a release was Adrian Dix, minister of Energy and Climate Solutions: “This exciting Power Smart project reaffirms BC Hydro’s dedication to expanding new and dynamic energy solutions and technology to redefine how communities manage and consume energy in the future.
“Virtual power plants are a groundbreaking approach to test the future of energy management and build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable power grid overall.”
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BC Hydro’s battery storage projects are part of a broader initiative to develop VPPs across the province.
Based on insights gained from these projects, BC Hydro plans to explore the possibility of deploying batteries in other areas that experience frequent outages.
Said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro: “This important project will help us better understand how batteries can mitigate outages and help keep costs low for customers by potentially deferring the need for additional, costly capital infrastructure in certain constrained regions and areas.
“Virtual power plants are expected to play an important role in supporting electrical grids in the future, making electricity systems more resilient and flexible.”
BC Hydro’s suite of Peak Saver programmes have seen a surge in participation, doubling since October 2024 to over 100,000 members today. Port Coquitlam, Kelowna, and Victoria are leading the way in engagement. Collectively, participants have contributed to 40MW in demand savings – equivalent to charging more than 40,000 EVs.
Through its Peak Saver programme, BC Hydro customers can also receive bill credits by reducing electricity use during brief periods of high demand, known as peak events. By adjusting energy consumption, participants ease demand on the system while earning financial rewards.
Both the battery storage projects and the Peak Saver programme are part of BC Hydro’s CA$700 million ($501.7 million) expanded Energy Efficiency Plan, which increases investments in tools, technology, programmes, and rebates for customers over the next three years.
BC Hydro’s Energy Efficiency Plan is expected to save customers CA$80 million ($57.3 million) annually and achieve over 2,000GWh of electricity savings by 2030 — enough to power more than 200,000 homes.
