Grengine is an Edmonton company pushing the envelope on sustainable energy with its battery energy storage system (BESS). Formerly known as Growing Greener Innovations, Grengine announced its new name and CEO, Erin Rand, on May 10, 2023. Erin plans to grow Grengine, revolutionizing the industry and expanding accessibility of cleantechnology. Connie Stacey, founder and CTO, met Erin in February of 2021 and since then, has been working to create a greener future, accessible for all. “Edmonton will be our center of excellence,” says Erin.
Grengine solution provides a clean alternative to diesel generators and a path to end global energy poverty. With their rebranding, they have a name that reflects their mission – to create accessible green energy for all. When Connie Stacey founded the company, she was driven by a desire to create a clean energy alternative to diesel generators – diesel generators are costly, loud, and expensive, and you can’t simply refill them like you can a gas tank. She envisioned a rechargeable green battery system with global accessibility. Energy poverty is a global issue affecting half of the world’s population, depriving people of sufficient energy for basic needs. “Energy should be a fundamental human right,” remarks Connie, “battery technology is evolving, and we are at the forefront in Canada.” The battery technology developed by Grengine offers a solution by providing a plug and play method to green energy alternative to diesel generators while providing clean energy access to everyone. Canada’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 is one of the drivers in Grengine’s core values. Sustainable innovation from companies like Grengine put Canada’s net-zero targets within reach. Erin believes that for the world to decarbonize, Grengine must meet its own goals first.
Grengine’s battery energy storage system (BESS)
Erin and Connie chose Edmonton for its excellent location, low-cost electricity, and lack of space restrictions. “I love it here. When we look at the future of manufacturing, it is no longer where there is low-cost labor […] I believe that the future of manufacturing is where there is low cost, stable electricity,” said Connie. The duo expressed their appreciation around Edmonton’s tremendous talent pool, with the University of Alberta being ranked third globally in AI (artificial intelligence). “The ecosystem is rich per capita, making it big enough to have connections with everyone,” according to Connie. The company is projected to triple its employee count and create jobs aligned with green technology. “I find it that people go out of their way to help you [in Edmonton],” remarks Connie.
Grengine’s battery technology is portable, stackable, and renewable. By providing a plug-and-play solution, Grengine eliminates the need for complex installation processes, allowing anyone to combine batteries and solar panels in communities with limited resources and limited training. It is also chemistry agnostic, meaning regardless of the individual chemistries in each pack, they can be stacked together, providing an advantage over other systems. The battery can be housed in shipping containers or with an inverter, which makes it easy to transport. This means endless possibilities for power, from supplying energy for industrial processes, to powering cities. It can also be used for humanitarian efforts for example, providing much-needed energy to refugee camps. The battery’s structure consists of stackable Lego-like blocks. This allows for easy configuration based on energy needs.
Grengine’s patented batteries stand out due to their scalability, growth potential, and endless application. Grengine aims to achieve net-zero emissions in just 11 years, with plan to hit their targets prior to Canada’s 2035 ESG (Environmental and Social Governance) goals. They have a goal of $1 of value for every person projected to be alive on the planet in 2034. With Connie and her team leading the way, the future of green energy looks brighter than ever before.
What sets Grengine apart from its competitors is the way it connects its batteries; the batteries are connected individually, which allows them to monitor and manage them down to the cell level. In other words, if one cell is damaged, all the other cells will not be affected. When servicing the battery, only the single cell will be swapped and serviced, lowering the carbon footprint. In turn, by replacing each individual cell, the average health of the battery is higher, increasing its longevity. The system is input agnostic, meaning it can be charged from any source, such as solar, wind, the grid, or even a bicycle.
Grengine is planning to expand by creating manufacturing centers around the world, allowing them to then deliver product by road or rail and create local jobs. Constructing batteries locally in North America will create a circular economy. This will reduce their carbon footprint while simultaneously generating more jobs. It is difficult to ship dangerous goods such as batteries. By having a decentralized production, they can service customers by road or rail, lowering costs and making the process much simpler. “This is clean technology, and we are making it accessible to everybody,” says Connie.
