VANCOUVER - A new battery energy-storage system (BESS), developed by Coquitlam-based Moment Energy, will soon provide reliable, high-speed charging capacity for the public and fleet vehicles at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Through B.C.'s Integrated Marketplace, this innovative solution promises efficient charging and contributes to a sustainable energy ecosystem, positioning British Columbia at the forefront of a clean-energy economy.
"Providing platforms for B.C. technology companies to develop and operationalize new innovations that address real-life business challenges in a real-world environment is helping secure our province as a low-carbon leader," said Brenda Bailey, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. "This will open doors for more B.C. companies to prove their technologies and commercialize, sell and export new products and services, while creating more jobs for British Columbians."
Moment Energy will create its BESS by repurposing retired electric-vehicle (EV) batteries sourced from their approved vendors. The product allows for the efficient storage of energy, which can then be used to fast charge crucial YVR fleet vehicles, especially in areas lacking electrical infrastructure or experiencing excessive peak-demand loads. This initiative addresses critical energy needs and promotes sustainability by giving a second life to retired batteries. Total project cost is $800,000 with $386,500 from B.C.'s Integrated Marketplace funding.
"The Integrated Marketplace will enable Moment Energy to showcase the reliability of our Flora BESS in supporting an international airports EV fleet and in modernizing the electricity grid, propelling us toward a net-zero future," said Gurmesh Sidhu, co-founder and chief product officer, Moment Energy. "This will accelerate our momentum and establish a positive track record, strengthening our client base and unlocking opportunities to demonstrate how our system can drastically reduce utility costs for businesses and support a shift towards clean, dependable energy solutions."
This announcement is part of the Government of B.C.'s investment of as much as $11.5 million and the Government of Canadas investment, through PacifiCan, of as much as $9.9 million in the Integrated Marketplace. The Integrated Marketplace is helping YVR electrify its operations, meet its net-zero commitment and become the worlds greenest airport.
"By linking talented local companies like Moment Energy with opportunities to test new innovations, we are accelerating the adoption of made-in-B.C. technology both at home and abroad," said Mary Ng, federal Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development. "The Integrated Marketplace gives local companies a competitive edge and further boosts Canada as a leader in clean technology, in turn, creating good jobs here in our communities."
The Integrated Marketplace links a group of strategic buyers with B.C. companies to implement, scale up and export B.C. technology solutions. The initiative is helping industry address its business needs while helping reduce carbon emissions, increase productivity and resiliency, or increase safety with domestic innovative solutions. The Provinces Crown agency, Innovate BC, helps deliver the program.
Quotes:
Rob Fleming, B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure -
"This is another example of creative solutions through Integrated Marketplace that align with our StrongerBC and CleanBC goals to build a greener economy in British Columbia and a cleaner transportation sector. More charging capacity means more support for electric vehicles at YVR and the benefits that flow from clean-energy technology."
Tamara Vrooman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver International Airport -
"We're thrilled to see practical solutions emerging from YVR's Integrated Marketplace, thanks to innovations from within B.C.'s tech sector. The flexible EV-charging capacity from Moment Energy not only allows us to test different ways to charge our fleet, it also represents tangible progress toward our net-zero goals."
Peter Cowan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Innovate BC -
"Through the Integrated Marketplace, testbeds like Vancouver International Airport, which are key drivers of our economy can de-risk the adoption of innovation being developed right here in our province. We are thrilled to see the program at work as solution providers, including Moment Energy, are working on projects that aim to address crucial priorities for our industry testbed partners and our region, including reducing emissions and increasing operational efficiency."
Quick Facts:
- An Integrated Marketplace testbed is an industry site, such as an airport, seaport or mine.
- To date, three testbeds have been announced: YVR, the Prince Rupert Port Authority and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
Learn More:
To learn more about the Integrated Marketplace, visit:
https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/integrated-marketplace
To learn more about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit:
https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/economic-plan/
To learn more about PacifiCan, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development.html
To learn more about Moment Energy, visit:
To learn more about the YVR testbed, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022JERI0076-001850
To learn more about the Port of Prince Rupert testbed, visit:
Claus Eckbo, Owner, God’s Pocket Resort
Off-Grid, Port Hardy, British Columbia
Moment Energy Flora BESS
66% reduction in diesel usage
PROBLEM
Preserving the "Rustic Feel"
God’s Pocket Resort stands as a world-renowned destination for cold-water diving and kayaking, nestled on a remote island accessible only by boat. For over 100 years, the area has served as a refuge for sailors and fishermen, and today the resort continues that tradition of sanctuary by offering adventurers a rustic, immersive experience far from the grid.
However, operating off-grid presented a loud and expensive problem. For years, the resort relied entirely on a traditional setup utilizing lead-acid battery banks and diesel generators.
"It’s the traditional way to set things up, but it poses many challenges with running larger machinery and having heavy energy demands."
Claus Eckbo, Owner of God’s Pocket Resort
The constant hum of generators distracted from the natural beauty guests came to see, and the logistics of transporting thousands of litres of diesel to a remote island proved both costly and risky. Claus required a solution capable of handling the resort’s heavy energy load, including the kitchen, dive compressors, and guest lodging, without compromising the environment he and visiting guests cherished.
SOLUTION
Designed to evolve.
Claus partnered with Moment Energy to install the Flora battery energy storage system, a repurposing-first energy storage solution designed to withstand the rigors of remote operation. Three years and 1,000 cycles later, the resort operates on a completely different rhythm. Since the initial installation, Claus has successfully upgraded the resort’s infrastructure by integrating a new solar array that feeds directly into the BESS. This solar upgrade allows the batteries to charge from the sun, further reducing dependency on the generator in keeping operations running.
"The impact on the environment is significantly lower, I started to realize how quiet the machinery is because we’re not having to run the generators at the same time."
Claus Eckbo, Owner of God’s Pocket Resort
The system has done more than maintain the status quo. It has enabled growth and proven itself as a reliable partner in the resort's evolution, integrating seamlessly as Claus continues to invest in elevating the immersive, natural experience guests value most.
SUPPORT
Built to last.
This summer, Moment Energy's team made the trip to God's Pocket to conduct routine maintenance on the battery system. Lauren Boers, Application Engineer, and Jarod Krane, Electrical Engineer, spent time on-site ensuring the system was operating to Moment Energy’s high performance standards and integrating smoothly with the resort's recent upgrades.
“The energy solution now, it completely changed the game, very impressed with Moment Energy and their entire team's commitment to ensuring that their solution is something that will last a very long time.”
Claus Eckbo, Owner of God’s Pocket Resort
This hands-on approach reflects Moment Energy's customer-first core philosophy and commitment to long-lasting, sustainable solutions. Each battery module in God’s Pocket once powered an electric vehicle and was given a second life through rigorous testing, certification, and engineering at Moment Energy’s facility. The result is a clean, reliable, and affordable system that supports Claus’s vision for the future of his resort.
"Being a local company, we have the opportunity to build these relationships and come out to client sites to provide the maintenance that keeps the batteries operating year after year, it's something we really pride ourselves in."
Lauren Boers, Applications Engineer at Moment Energy
As Moment Energy advances the next-generation of its Luna and Nova systems, with higher energy density and modular swappability, the team remains just as focused on supporting customers beyond, and even before, installation. Grounded in a mission to make clean energy attainable and affordable, Moment Energy helps facilities secure BC Hydro incentives, federal tax credits, and financing support that routinely reduce project costs to less than 10% of the total capital investment.
For Claus and operations like God’s Pocket, it means having a partner that is committed not only to innovative technology but also to the long-term success of the project.
FUTURE
Powering what comes next.
As God's Pocket Resort enters its next phase of operation, the Moment Energy system continues to function as the backbone of its infrastructure. The 1,000th cycle marks just the beginning of a long lifespan that Claus expects will serve the resort's evolving needs for years to come. For remote operations facing similar challenges, whether resorts, research stations, or industrial sites, and more, God's Pocket demonstrates that battery energy storage isn't just about reducing costs. It's about building resilient, adaptable energy systems that improve operations today while supporting growth tomorrow. And with over 1,000 cycles behind it, this system is just getting started.
