British Columbia, BC– Moment Energy, a Canadian cleantech startup repurposing retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries for sustainable battery energy storage systems, was awarded the grand prize of $100,000 as the winner of Spring Activator’s first-ever National Impact Investor Challenge, a 10-week program consisting of multiple pitches and training sessions that empowers emerging impact investors and purpose-driven ventures to make and seek impactful investments.
Participating startups are evaluated by the investor cohort on a combination of market opportunity and timing, quality of solution, business model, go-to-market, traction, and impact. Piloted in 2019 in Vancouver, this was Spring’s first Canada-wide Challenge, adding to the significance of Moment’s recognition as a top impact business from among the 150+ startups that applied for the program from across the country.
“Impact is core to Moment’s DNA, so we’re incredibly excited to be awarded the top impact startup in Canada,” said Sumreen Rattan, co-founder and COO of Moment Energy. “Our goal is to accelerate the world’s transition to renewables by creating the most affordable battery energy storage system on the market, and we believe that we can do so by harnessing end-of-life EV batteries, which have on average 80% of life left when retired from the car. We’ve already partnered with Nissan North America and 3 other major automakers to establish a supply chain of EV batteries and deployed multiple pilot projects across Canada.”
“The team at Moment won the Challenge for several reasons,” said Keith Ippel, co-founder and CEO of Spring Activator. “Their potential for impact by upcycling automotive batteries and reducing/eliminating the need for diesel power is clear. However, it was all about the team. They consistently showed a desire to learn and grow, were highly coachable, and the result was a more focused plan, clear progress, and an outstanding impact plan.”
While demand for renewable energy is increasing, its adoption is slowed by the high cost of energy storage, which is critical to solving solar/wind intermittency. By repurposing retired EV batteries for battery energy storage systems, Moment offers energy storage at a fraction of the cost of new lithium batteries while creating a circular economy for the exploding number of retired EV batteries.
Moment Energy is now raising its seed round, engaging with renewable integrators to bring battery energy storage systems to the market, and seeking partnerships with diesel-dependent customers for off-grid pilot projects.
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.
