THUNDER BAY — A large-scale electric heat pump and thermal storage facility will soon be installed and piloted at Confederation College.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced $3.2 million through its grid innovation fund on Thursday to support the project in partnership with the college, Synergy North, Blackstone Energy Services and Powerconsumer — a technology provider.

Through the project, the college’s excess energy will be stored and provided to Synergy North to help during peak demand on the electrical grid.

“It’s a huge step forward for innovation, especially in Northwestern Ontario,” said Karla Bailey, Synergy North’s vice president of system planning, asset management and engineering.

“This hasn’t been done yet in the province and so we’re really hopeful

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