Company Name: Aqua-Cell Energy Inc
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Website: aqua-cellenergy.com
Team Size: 6
Founded By: Keith Cleland

About Company:
Aqua-Cell Energy is an Alberta-based clean technology company developing long-duration, saltwater flow batteries designed to provide sustainable, non-flammable, and affordable energy storage for distribution-level applications. By leveraging mass-produced ion-exchange membrane technology from the water treatment sector, Aqua-Cell is rapidly scaling a modular battery solution that supports renewable integration, grid flexibility, and infrastructure cost avoidance.

Project Title:
10kW Saltwater Flow Battery Pilot for Grid Congestion Relief

Challenge Area:
Grid Decongestion at the System Level

Focus Areas:

  • Long-duration energy storage

  • Saltwater-based flow battery chemistry

  • Non-wires alternative to substation upgrades

  • Load shifting and backup power

  • Modular, containerized deployment

Project Objectives

  • Pilot a 8-10kW, 160 kWh saltwater flow battery in a high-congestion area of Medicine Hat’s distribution grid

  • Demonstrate how long-duration storage can defer costly infrastructure upgrades

  • Validate the technology’s scalability and economic potential

  • Inform strategic planning for distributed storage deployment using grid modeling data

Project Summary

Aqua-Cell Energy is launching its first field-scale deployment of a saltwater-based flow battery through this pilot in Medicine Hat. Their containerized, modular battery technology is designed to deliver 12 to 24 hours of continuous discharge, making it well-suited for addressing congestion along distribution feeders and substations nearing capacity.

By charging off-peak (or with renewable energy) and discharging during peak hours, the battery provides a non-wires alternative to expensive substation upgrades. It aims to validate how strategic deployment of long-duration storage can support urban growth, electric vehicle adoption, and increased housing demand—while avoiding the costs and delays of physical grid expansion.

Expected Impact

  • Grid Resilience – Supports reliability and peak load relief with 24-hour storage

  • Scalability – Modular containerized system can be moved and replicated across feeders

  • Emissions Reduction – Supports renewables, EV adoption, and peak load decarbonization

  • System Reliability – Improves voltage and frequency stability across distribution assets