Sonnen has officially entered the Canadian energy market, launching its first virtual power plant (VPP) in the country at Blatchford Lands, a net-zero, master-planned community in Edmonton, Alberta. The project is the first of its kind in Canada, deploying distributed energy storage across residential sites to support a more resilient, decentralized energy grid.
Developed in collaboration with Landmark Homes, EPCOR, Solartility, and the University of Alberta, the initiative is positioned as a model for integrating clean energy infrastructure into urban developments. The Blatchford VPP begins with 100 battery systems, offering around 500 kW of capacity and more than 2 MWh of energy storage. These assets provide grid services such as demand response, backup power, and peak shaving, contributing to both local resilience and broader grid flexibility.
This launch builds on sonnen’s previous VPP projects in the U.S., including Utah’s Soleil Lofts and Florida’s Hunters Point. With Alberta's deregulated energy market, Canada offers a strategic testing ground for scaling advanced grid technologies that may later inform broader North American deployments.
The initial Blatchford deployment acts as a live demonstration of how decentralized energy systems can function within a modern residential community. But the long-term vision extends far beyond Edmonton. Sonnen is planning to scale its footprint to over 3,000 battery installations across Alberta and other provinces within three years, aiming to deliver more than 18 MW of energy and 60 MWh of storage capacity.
By embedding energy storage directly into homes, this model decentralizes power generation and aligns with evolving grid needs. It supports provincial and national clean energy goals while also creating an asset base capable of participating in energy markets. These distributed systems are expected to reduce pressure during peak demand periods and enable greater adoption of intermittent renewables across the grid.
What distinguishes Blatchford is its integration of energy storage into a broader urban sustainability plan. Built on the grounds of a former municipal airport, the community uses renewable sources not just for electricity but also for heating and cooling, showcasing a complete decarbonization approach. The site has received recognition from Emissions Reduction Alberta and other organizations for its commitment to climate-aligned development.
