Mark Goorwah, CEO of Volterra Technology: Indigenous Communities are Where Push for Canada’s Greener Future Begins

Volterra Technology believes that Indigenous communities are where the push for Canada’s greener future begins. Founded by Mark Goorwah (CEO) and Charlie Curtis (CMO) in Toronto, Volterra is at the forefront of advanced battery storage technology.

Introduction

Over the past seven years, Mark Goorwah and Charlie Curtis have been in the clean energy industry identifying emerging technologies to help the world transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Volterra Indigenous Energy Canada is a battery storage technology provider that, over the last five years, has been developing state-of-the-art services and productions for renewable generation and storage. Volterra Battery X is a patented technology designed to keep energy stored cheaply, with high power and fast charge.

One of the most significant challenges in embracing renewable energy at scale is storage capacity. Wind and solar energy, albeit renewable, are intermittent, leading to quality and reliability issues for energy production. Battery storage technology is therefore crucial to transition away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy, allowing energy to be used reliably during peak hours. A 2020 study by the National Research Council found that in Ontario, storage investment would reduce emissions by 11% by 2030 and could save ratepayers $2 billion in net savings over the next decade. Given the current ambitious promise to slash GHG emissions by 40 to 45 percent over the next nine years, technological advancements will play a crucial role in achieving climate targets quickly; the 11% in emissions reduction from storage can go a long way. Budget 2021 also includes Canada’s Net-Zero Accelerator which looks to incentivize the Canadian industry to develop net-zero technology. This is the space that Volterra leads in.

The $100 Billion Indigenous Economic Agenda- The Volterra Response

Reliable, sustainable, accessible, inexpensive, and locally owned energy are essential elements in achieving the $100 billion Indigenous economic agenda as set out by the Indigenomics Institute. Indigenous communities across Canada, many of whom are remote, face a lack of reliable electricity infrastructure, with many communities relying on micro grids powered by diesel generators. Diesel is expensive, unreliable, and has long periods of downtime.

For example, in 2016  the Pikangikum First Nation lost power when their community’s main generator broke down. They endured extensive blackouts for several weeks, with some resorting to oil burners and wood stoves for heat, leading to potential health complications. When Nations can access Volterra’s battery storage cell technology, they can avoid blackouts such as this example entirely with a steady stream of electricity stored during the generator’s scheduled downtime.

Volterra Indigenous Energy Canada serves to benefit Indigenous communities by providing improved efficiency and quality in energy generation thus reducing the experience of community energy poverty. Battery storage is cheaper, more efficient, more sustainable, and ultimately safer than relying solely on the diesel generator.

Who wants to play Indigenomics?

Volterra is answering the call of ‘Who wants to play Indigenomics?’ by challenging conventional economic and energy arrangements to prioritize Indigenous economic empowerment. Volterra understands the power of investing in Indigenous communities by focusing on value creation and sustainability, both of which have remained at the center of Indigenous economic wisdom since time immemorial. Reliable energy and storage is a fundamental step for Indigenous peoples in taking a seat at the economic table of Canada.  

In Canada, boil water advisories have been a long-overdue point of contention in fulfilling a fundamental human right that has historically been ignored through the paradigm of Indian Act economics. With Volterra’s battery storage technology, communities can better ensure consistent electricity to the power water filtration systems, thus better supporting the water systems and citizen’s access to clean drinking Volterra’s turnkey solution, including battery storage cells and accompanying software, empowers communities to take ownership of their energy generation. Volterra also has plans for a cell production plant that can produce 1-3 Gigawatts of electricity per year.

Consistent electricity also unlocks the potential for First Nations to be the local and regional economic drivers they are destined to be. Battery storage, when used in tandem with existing power inputs such as diesel, can save users a lot of money which can be reinvested in other productive activities. Batteries can be charged during off-peak times as well as feed energy into the grid to offset peak times. Existing generators in Indigenous communities also require downtime for maintenance, which means there are periods when no electricity is available to the greater community. Battery storage provides energy when generators are down, allowing interrupted access to power that generates prosperity and growth.

The Indigenomics Economic Mix: Drivers for Indigenous Economic Growth and Design

The Indigenomics Institute introduced the concept of the Indigenomics Economic Mix- twelve levers to support the design and growth of the Indigenous economy based on increased business activity. Some of these levers in the Indigenonomics economic mix include infrastructure, technology, and clean energy. The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships estimates that about $30 billion is required to close the First Nations infrastructure gap. Appropriate electricity infrastructure increases the ease of doing business, empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers to be connected at all times. Volterra wants to be part of the solution.

Poor infrastructure, conversely, creates a disincentive for investment in Indigenous communities and can detract from opportunities to engage in international trade. Addressing this infrastructure gap is not only a moral necessity but an economic one. Volterra’s strategy to partner with Indigenous communities first acts as a necessary catalyst for further investment into renewable energy generation and infrastructure across the country. 

Volterra supports infrastructure development in Indigenous communities and works collaboratively to empower Indigenous economies through revenue generation, job creation, and training. Additionally, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can generate gross revenues of anywhere from $5 billion, for approximately 5 gigawatts of power, to $50 billion, for approximately 50 gigawatts of power. BESS will also create 750 core jobs at a 5 Gigawatt output to 7500 core jobs at a 50 Gigawatt output, while stimulating 35,000 to 350,000 jobs, respectively. Volterra’s objective is to better empower individual power producers to sell their energy at the prices they want in real-time.

The intention is for Indigenous communities to have ownership of their clean energy systems. The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) allow for communities to benefit from new revenue streams via power purchase agreements. The Oneida Energy Storage project, being built in Jarvis, Ontario, will be one of the world’s largest energy storage projects, lowering electricity system costs by up to $760 million over its lifetime and driving down bills for residents and businesses. This project is also being co-developed by Six Nations of the Grand River. This is just one example of the potential to scale using BESS.

Advanced battery technologies will be crucial as Canada transitions away from fossil fuels toward a greener economy. Fossil fuels and even nuclear energy, despite being carbon neutral, have massive impacts on the environment in ways that could be completely avoided if Canada fully embraced renewable energy. Unfortunately, renewable energy will not be a major factor in energy production unless there are major strides in developing battery storage technology. The Indigenous economy is uniquely situated to be the breeding ground for Canadian energy storage innovation in the 2020s and beyond. Volterra is actively emphasizing the need for Canada to invest in Indigenous economic development.