About the Quinte Energy Storage Centre
Located in Greater Napanee, Ontario, the Quinte Energy Storage Centre will provide 500 MW of reliable capacity and a minimum of 8 hours of energy storage for clean, reliable energy.
GRID NEEDS
Providing Clean, Reliable
Power to Ontario's Grid
Ontario’s electricity system is entering a period of significant change. Rapid growth in demand and the transition to cleaner generation are creating new challenges for grid reliability, making long-duration energy storage essential to meeting future electricity needs.
65%
Increase in electricity demand by 2050
Placing growing pressure on Ontario’s ability to deliver reliable power.
12-15
Projected capacity shortfall by 2035
Requiring large-scale, long-duration energy storage to maintain grid reliability.
800+
Planned long-lead-time procurement
Planned for 2026, this procurement will support new long-duration storage resources to strengthen grid reliability.
500k
Powered for eight hours
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre will deliver 500 MW of capacity, providing power for up to 500,000 homes when electricity is needed most.
Storage Centre Location
Ontario-Based
Energy Storage
Built for Energy Reliability
Near the Lennox Transformer Station
Will deliver over $500M in economic benefits to the regional economy during construction
Expected to be operational in the early 2030s
100% emissions-free operations
Over 650 jobs created during construction, with 40+ jobs annually for the facility’s 50+ year operational lifetime
Proposed Timeline
Our Company
Energy Storage
Made in Canada
Who we are
Founded in Ontario in 2010, Hydrostor is a leading global developer and operator of long-duration energy storage systems. Based in Toronto with offices in Melbourne and Denver, the company is backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, CPP Investments, Canada Growth Fund, and other institutional investors. Hydrostor’s advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) technology delivers long-duration storage using compressed air and water to support power grids worldwide.
Our track record
In addition to the Quinte Energy Storage Centre – West, Hydrostor has a 2 MW demonstration facility in Goderich, Ontario, that has been serving Ontario’s grid for over five years. Hydrostor also has late-stage developments in New South Wales, Australia, and in Kern County, California, along with a 7 GW project pipeline throughout Canada, Australia, the UK, and the U.S.
The Technology
How Does A-CAES Work?
Compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology has been used globally for decades, but wasn’t widely deployed because of siting constraints and cost. Hydrostor has made improvements to traditional CAES to make it more economic and more flexibly sited – this technology is called Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage, or A-CAES.
1. Charge the system
During times of abundant nuclear, solar, or wind generation, Hydrostor’s A-CAES uses the extra energy to charge the system by compressing ambient air. The heat generated as the air is compressed is captured and stored above ground. It will be needed later.
2. Store the energy
Once the heat has been removed, the cooled, compressed air is pushed into a cavern underground that is filled with water and connected to a surface reservoir. As air is injected into the cavern, an equivalent volume of water is pushed out of the cavern and up into the surface reservoir, maintaining constant pressure within the cavern while operating. The system is now charged, and the potential energy can be stored until it’s needed.
3. Discharge to the grid
When it’s time to discharge energy back to the grid, the process reverses. Water is released to flow from the surface reservoir back into the underground cavern, pushing compressed air up to the surface. The air is reheated using the stored heat from the charge process and is used to drive air turbines, generating electricity that can be fed back onto the grid.
Advantages of A-CAES
Cost-effective at long durations
More affordable than batteries for storage durations beyond eight hours.
Flexible siting in hard rock
Can be developed in hard-rock formations rather than salt, enabling broader siting options.
High energy density
Delivers 500 MW using roughly 100–200 acres, making it more energy dense than solar, wind, or nuclear.
Simple, proven materials
Uses only rock, air, and water, with no hazardous chemicals underground.
Lower fire risk
Avoids the fire risks associated with battery systems that rely on critical minerals.
Project Updates
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is the Quinte Energy Storage Centre?
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is a large-scale Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. It will provide clean, reliable, and long-duration energy storage to support Ontario’s electricity grid.
Who is Hydrostor?
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is a large-scale Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. It will provide clean, reliable, and long-duration energy storage to support Ontario’s electricity grid.
What is A-CAES and how does it work?
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is a large-scale Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. It will provide clean, reliable, and long-duration energy storage to support Ontario’s electricity grid.
Why is energy storage important for Ontario?
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is a large-scale Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. It will provide clean, reliable, and long-duration energy storage to support Ontario’s electricity grid.
Where is the Quinte Project located?
The Quinte Energy Storage Centre is a large-scale Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario. It will provide clean, reliable, and long-duration energy storage to support Ontario’s electricity grid.