6 February 2015

Sigma Energy Storage has concluded a three-year partnership agreement with the City of Sherbrooke for a research and development project involving the storage of excess electrical power produced by Hydro-Sherbrooke. The goal is to release the stored energy later, during peak periods.

This young Sherbrooke company has developed innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy storage technology called Compressed Air Energy Storage – Sigma Energy Storage (CAES-SES). In periods of lower consumption – during the night and in the daytime, air is compressed in a storage unit. This operation creates thermal energy, which is stored in a heat transfer medium, explained Martin Larocque, a Sigma shareholder. The energy is then re-injected during peak periods – 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In the context of the R&D project, the system will operate for approximately 200 hours annually, noted Hydro-Sherbrooke’s Chief Executive Officer, Christian Laprise.

Sherbrooke Innopole hails this agreement: “Sigma participated in the clean tech event, Cleantech Rendez-vous, organized by Sherbrooke Innopole in 2013. We invested in Sigma and initiated introductions to Hydro-Sherbrooke. This company is expanding its reach, creating jobs, and positioning us even more favourably among Canada’s clean energy hubs. We would like to have more companies playing such a role,” stated Communications Director, Marie-Eve Poliquin.

Sigma Energy Storage has launched discussions to explore other markets, including those in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Source: La Tribune

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