Wedoany.com Report-Jun 29, Landmark Homes, in partnership with utility EPCOR, electricity retailer Solartility, energy storage provider Sonnen, and the University of Alberta, has developed a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) at Blatchford Lands, a net-zero community in Edmonton, Canada. Announced in 2025, this project transforms the former municipal airport site into a model for sustainable urban living, integrating renewable energy and innovative grid solutions.

The VPP incorporates 100 Sonnen batteries, providing 500 kW of power and over 2 MWh of storage capacity. These batteries enable emergency backup power, peak energy management, and demand response services, enhancing grid stability. The system aggregates distributed energy resources, including solar panels, electric vehicles, chargers, and smart appliances like water heaters and thermostats, to optimize energy use.

Blatchford Lands features diverse housing equipped with renewable energy for heating and cooling, designed to minimize environmental impact. The University of Alberta is collaborating to assess the project’s scalability, analyzing financial benefits, greenhouse gas reductions, and grid support potential. “What has been achieved at Blatchford Lands is extremely special, and even beyond many of the VPP market designs in America,” said Blake Richetta, chairman and CEO of Sonnen Inc. USA.

Sonnen plans to expand VPPs across Alberta and other Canadian regions, targeting over 3,000 sites with 18 MW and 60 MWh of grid support within three years. “Canada has developed into a rich and innovative VPP market thanks to the pioneering efforts and support from great partners,” said Geoff Ferrell, senior vice president of Global C&I and VPP project business at Sonnen Inc. USA.

The Blatchford Lands VPP serves as a replicable model for sustainable communities, leveraging advanced energy storage and renewable technologies. Building on Sonnen’s experience with VPPs in Utah, Florida, and Arizona, the project strengthens Canada’s position in innovative energy solutions, supporting grid reliability and environmental goals.