ATCO Electric - Experts & Thought Leaders

They are embracing the future of low-carbon transportation through an exciting new sponsorship. Meet ELA: one of the first electric autonomous vehicle open to the public in Canada. ELA will be operated by Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) and will be equipped with a mobility ramp, air conditioning and 4G connectivity for data monitoring. ELA will accommodate 12 people and travel at 12 km/h on a road separate from the rest of traffic. Although ELA is completely driverless, an operator will always be on board to take control if necessary. Autonomous vehicle technology The 100 per cent electric shuttle model EZ10, ELA is built by EasyMile, one of the autonomous vehicle technology companies. The EZ10 has been deployed in 20 countries worldwide where the technology has been tested and proven safe for public use. ELA will also assist with the advancement of research opportunities in Alberta – proving us as leaders in transportation technology. ELA is built by EasyMile, one of the autonomous vehicle technology companies “Today, the pace of change is faster than we may realize. We are only a few years away from electric and autonomous vehicles being mainstream. At ATCO, we are focused on innovation, including electrification of transportation, from smart charging and energy management to charging infrastructure. As part of our commitment to innovation and to a low-carbon future for Alberta, we are very proud to sponsor the autonomous vehicle pilot ‘ELA’ and excited to be providing a glimpse into the future of sustainable transportation today,” said Francois Blouin, Director of Innovation of ATCO’s Electricity Business at the media launch of ELA on Wednesday September 5. Smart home package From September 8 to September 30, ELA will be shuttling visitors between the Calgary Zoo LRT Station and TELUS Spark in Calgary for free. For Edmontonians, the self-driving vehicle will be running from October 6 to November 25 at different locations. While they’re riding the vehicle of the future, keep the eyes open for the chance to win tomorrow’s technology for their home. ATCO energy is giving away a smart home package complete with a Google home, a Nest video doorbell, Philips smart bulbs and more.

ATCO is very excited to announce that they have been selected as the winner of the 2020 International Edison Award for their work on the Fort McMurray West 500-kV Transmission Project, completed by Alberta PowerLine (APL). The Edison Award is presented annually by the Edison Electric Institute and has long been the electricity industry’s most prestigious award. The project began in 2014, when ATCO and Quanta Services partnered to create APL and set out to develop, design, finance, construct and operate the Fort McMurray West 500-kV Transmission Project, the longest 500-kV transmission line in Canada, across some of the world’s most difficult terrain and in its most challenging climate. Energy infrastructure projects They engaged extensively with local communities as they designed and constructed the project Not only did they undertake one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects in Canada, but they did so in keeping with the values; ensuring the safety of the people, the protection of the environment, and making a positive and lasting difference for the communities along the route. They engaged extensively with local communities as they designed and constructed the project. Over a three-year period, they engaged with 27 Indigenous communities with traditional land use in proximity to the transmission line, and expanded upon the relationships and engaged Indigenous communities as active participants through significant contracts totaling $85 million. Purchase equity ownership They look forward to continuing the partnership with local Indigenous communities through maintenance and operational contracts as part of their 35-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the line and associated substations. Following early energization of the project in March 2019, they provided an opportunity for Indigenous communities along the route to purchase equity ownership. Seven Indigenous communities in Alberta purchased a combined 40 per cent equity interest in APL: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Bigstone Cree Nation, Gunn Métis Local 55, Mikisew Cree First Nation, by way of its business arm, the Mikisew Group of Companies, Paul First Nation, Sawridge First Nation and Sucker Creek First Nation. World-class energy infrastructure Through this investment they have become active partners in energy development that is occurring in their backyard, and can use the resources from the project to invest in their communities as they choose, whether it be economic development and capacity building, community and cultural preservation, or otherwise. APL is a true international success story, and an example for the world of how industry and Indigenous Peoples can work together to develop world-class energy infrastructure that benefits customers and communities alike. This is the second time that ATCO has received the award, following their win in 2005 for the Dover to Whitefish Transmission Line.

Local Indigenous communities in Fort Chipewyan long had a vision of transitioning into a cleaner, self-sustaining community concerning their energy generation. In October 2020, this vision will become a reality, when the second and final phase of the Fort Chip Off-grid Solar Project is completed. This exciting and inspiring project is the culmination of three years of hard work and will see the remote Northern Albertan community become the home of the largest off-grid solar and storage microgrid project in Canada. ATCO is proud to play a key role in bringing this vision to life. 3NE & Atco: Charting The Path To A Sustainable Future In January 2020, construction began on Phase 2 of the solar project, following the delivery of infrastructure materials such as solar panels and a massive battery storage system, via regional ice roads that wind through the Boreal forest, over frozen rivers, and across the Peace-Athabasca Delta, accessible for a brief window of time each year. 3NE partnered with ATCO to develop plans for a cleaner energy solution that reduced diesel consumption In search of a more sustainable energy model to accommodate the community’s growth and evolving energy needs, 3NE partnered with ATCO to develop plans for a cleaner energy solution that reduced diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.  Phase one of the project marked the first stage of a fundamental transition from the community’s reliance on diesel and was successfully energized in the late summer of 2019. Project phase two Phase two of the project includes: 2,200 kW solar farm, for which ATCO is the prime engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contactor; owned by 3NE (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Fort Chipewyan Métis Local 125). 1,600 kWh Battery Energy Storage System to store excess energy and provide grid reliability; owned and operated by ATCO. Microgrid control system; owned and operated by ATCO. When fully operational, the project will meet 25% of Fort Chip’s electricity needs, displacing an estimated 800,000 liters of diesel annually (a 25% reduction), minimizing emissions by 2,145 tonnes a year, and reducing the safety risks associated with transporting diesel to the region. Sunny skies ahead While the project’s environmental benefits are impressive, of equal importance are the positive socio-economic impacts felt amongst the neighboring Indigenous communities of Fort Chipewyan. The project enables long-term community ownership and self-sustaining economic development, driven by job creation, investment in owned infrastructure, and revenue from the sale of clean, renewable energy. energy transition ATCO will be involved at every stage of the project’s lifecycle through design, engineering, construction Part of ATCO’s ongoing mission is to be at the forefront of opportunities that lead the way in energy transition and provide customers with sustainable, reliable energy alternatives. Upon completion, ATCO will have been involved at every stage of the project’s lifecycle from the early days of conception and stakeholder consultation, through to design, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance. new energy models Collaboration has also been a key factor in advancing the project; not just within the community, but with industry partners relying on it to bring their unique perspectives and complementary expertise. ATCO is thrilled to have teamed up with peers such as Clark Builders for civil and mechanical work and ABB for their Battery Energy Storage System. Looking to the future, ATCO is eager to apply similar models to the Fort Chipewyan Off-Grid Solar Project elsewhere, bringing new energy models to life for other remote communities.