Innovation September-October 2023

THE INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABILITY AWARD SCHOOL DISTRICT 78 SOLAR & ENERGY STORAGE MICROGRID, HEDGEHOG TECHNOLOGIES INC.

When the wind howled through the mountains around Hope, BC, it usually meant Harrison Hot Springs elementary was destined for a power blackout. It was disruptive to close the school mid-day and challenging to make sure all the students found a way home. But, thanks to an innovative solar and energy storage microgrid system installed by Hedgehog Technologies in February 2023, school is uninterrupted by the winds. Hedgehog Technologies designed and managed the implementation of a first-of-its-kind solar microgrid project specifically for the school that included a PV solar, battery, and an innovative microgrid controller called Nimba. The innovative system, educational benefit, greenhouse gas reduction and ability to adapt the system to work in other communities lead to the project earning the 2023 Engineers and Geoscientists BC Innovation in Sustainability Award. Lead engineer Younes Rashidi, P.Eng., Vice President of Engineering Operations at Hedgehog, says, "This award holds deep honour for both the team as a whole and for me personally. We strive to create innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability, considering the long-term effects on society and the environment. This award reinforces the importance of sustainability and inspires us to continue promoting sustainable engineering innovations." The solar microgrid system has enabled the elementary school to maintain power during outages and provides the opportunity for BC Hydro to access stored energy through demand response events. Since the project’s completion, there have been active peak shaving events (on-going) and regular utility demand response events providing power to the system. It has also been tested for power outage events with the utility to verify it meets the system specifications. By using solar energy as a source of power for the school, they have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions contributing to tangible climate action. The installation of a microgrid also helps

P hoto : C ontributed by H edgehog T echnologies

to create a more sustainable energy system and improves energy security, making it more reliable and resilient. For School District 78, it's a power solution and educational opportunity for students. "We now have a reliable source of clean energy that keeps our community running even during power outages," says Doug Templeton, Director of Facilities and Transportation at the school district. "The PV solar array and battery storage unit have been a game changer for us, and the innovative microgrid controller has ensured seamless operation and integration with the local utility. Not only has this project improved energy reliability for our community, but it has also helped to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability." From an innovation standpoint, the Nimba Microgrid Controller that was created for this project allows for optimized control of renewable assets while allowing communities to be more energy resilient to unforeseen events. Says Younes, "Through the adoption of sustainability principles, we can promote positive outcomes that will benefit future generations. Our innovations should embody practicality, forward-looking vision, ethical considerations, and a profound sense of responsibility toward our planet. We can all push for a brighter future together."

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