The two innovation projects will improve the city's energy system. Gynane/Dreamstime.com

By Eli J. Ridder

ENERGY

Medicine Hat grant winners to improve electricity grid distribution, use AI to reduce use

Dec 2, 2024 | 4:17 PM

A pair of companies revealed as winners of Medicine Hat’s Energy Innovation Challenge on Monday will help improve electricity grid distribution and utilize artificial intelligence to reduce use, the city said.

The program, carried out in partnership with Decentralized Energy Canada, aims to help small and medium-sized businesses bring their products to market.

Over the course of three years, up to six successful applicants will be awarded the opportunity to demonstrate their innovations with small-scale projects within the city’s energy franchise territory.

The city has announced the two recipients for 2024.

Arcus Power’s project will pilot a distributed energy storage planning functionality that will be integrated with its existing SaaS platform.

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The planning software will support the city in planning and evaluating the optimal size, location and investment for distributed energy resources, specifically battery energy storage and solar systems, according to a news release.

It will help remove congestion on Medicine Hat’s electrical distribution system, the city said.

Edgecom Energy offers a comprehensive energy management solution suite that integrates artificial intelligence and the internet of things, the city said.

Edgecom will install sensors at eight Medicine Hat facilities to monitor energy usage and report data into their building management system.

The model will use AI to identify opportunities to reduce energy use based on machine learning of usage patterns in the building without imposing an additional burden on staff.

Premier Danielle Smith, who also serves as MLA of Brooks-Medicine Hat, said the grant program builds on the city’s legacy of innovation.

“Medicine Hat has been innovating in the energy sector since the early 1900s when the community’s original settlers capitalized on an abundant natural gas discovery to generate electricity, establishing the unique municipally owned and operated energy business we know today,” Smith said.

“Today, the Energy Innovation Challenge is helping keep them at the forefront of creating new solutions that support a cleaner and lower cost energy economy for their community and all Albertans. I look forward to seeing the ideas and solutions that come forward to help lower energy costs for Albertans.”

The deadline to apply for the next round of the Energy Innovation Challenge is Jan. 9.