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 in Medicine Hat

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 10kW saltwater flow battery in a high-congestion area of Medicine Hat’s distribution grid

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

  • Provide backup power and energy arbitrage during peak demand periods

  • 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. The pilot will test siting and grid impacts using modeling insights from Arcus Power and potentially from Edgecom Energy. 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.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Aqua-Cell’s flow battery is non-flammable, fully recyclable, and based on abundant materials. The system is also redeployable, allowing utilities to shift storage as grid needs evolve, thus reducing the risk of stranded assets.

Expected Impact

  • Grid Resilience – Prevents outages and supports peak load relief with 24-hour storage

  • Economic Benefit – Can defer $40M substation upgrades with ~$5M battery investment

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

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

  • Energy Affordability – Generates $0.5–1.5M/year via arbitrage, ancillary services, and demand charge savings

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