Aqua-Cell Energy

Developing saltwater flow battery technology
Sector: Electricity
Technology: Battery + Energy Storage
NorthX Backing: $453,500
Project Value: $907,000
Project Status: Active

Aqua-Cell Energy is an Edmonton-based energy technology company dedicated to developing and deploying scalable flow battery systems for energy storage. Aqua-Cell Energy is recognized as one of the Top 50 Startups in Edmonton by Scale Up Canada for its innovation and impact in renewable energy integration. Aqua-Cell’s flow battery technology is designed for long-duration storage and seamless renewable energy integration. It offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional energy storage solutions, enhancing grid reliability and supporting the transition to a cleaner power infrastructure.

The Problem

As Canada accelerates electrification and adds more renewable energy to the grid, utilities face a growing mismatch between when power is generated and when it’s needed. Peak demand is stretching beyond 4 hours, but most storage solutions — like lithium-ion batteries — are too costly for long-duration use. At the same time, BC Hydro imports up to 25% of its electricity from Alberta and U.S. states that rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to higher GHG emissions. Globally, long-duration energy storage (LDES) is projected to be a $270B/year market by 2040, with North America accounting for a $24B/year opportunity. Canada urgently needs scalable, non-toxic, long-duration storage to reduce emissions, defer infrastructure upgrades, and improve grid reliability.

The Solution

Turning saltwater into clean power — Aqua-Cell’s long-duration battery unlocks renewable energy anytime, anywhere.

Aqua-Cell’s saltwater flow battery provides over 12 hours of scalable, sustainable energy storage at a fraction of the cost of lithium-ion technologies—without relying on critical minerals. Leveraging a proven water-treatment process, the system is designed for rapid scalability to address Canada’s mid-scale, long-duration storage needs.

NorthX’s investment will enable Aqua-Cell to validate its 100kWh system on COAST’s microgrid, achieve CSA field certification, and meet the requirements of BC Hydro’s Energy Storage Incentive Program. The funding will also support the integration of backup power capabilities, ensuring continued operation during grid outages.

NorthX’s support will accelerate Aqua-Cell’s path to commercialization. It will advance the technology from TRL 7 to 8 and allow the company to engage with new commercial and utility customers, enabling them to reduce their emissions by up to 620 tCO₂e/year per 2MW installation and defer costly infrastructure upgrades.

“This project is a critical step in bringing our saltwater battery technology to market and addressing the growing need for long-duration, low-impact energy storage. With NorthX’s support, we’re not only validating our solution under real-world conditions, we’re also unlocking new opportunities to reduce emissions, increase grid reliability, and make clean energy more accessible across B.C. and beyond.”
KEITH CLELAND, CEO, AQUA-CELL ENERGY
Aqua-Cell Energy

Be among the first to know about funding opportunities, projects, and news.

Subscribe

The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is now NorthX

Join us November 19th at Converge 2025!

Register today