Proponent seeks support for battery storage system
Compass Greenfield Development is requesting a council resolution in support of a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) in Stayner.
James Marzotto was before Clearview council on Oct. 6 with a proposal to construct an 18-megawatt AC battery energy storage project on leased land at 219 Industrial Road. The proponent requires the resolution for the IESO’s LT2 (c) Window 1 request for proposal bid submission date for capacity due Dec. 18. The bid is in response the province’s goal to increase capacity by 75 per cent by 2050 and meet demands at peak consumption periods. The batteries are charged at night and the operator is paid to be on standby to feed power back into the grid during times of peak usage.
“This long-term capacity procurement is for 600 megawatts of needed capacity throughout the province,” said Marzotto. “So it’s certainly not a nice-to-have. This 600 megawatts is needed for the grid and our project in Windsor is already contributing to capacity demand that Windsor is facing in southwestern Ontario.”
Marzotto said Compass Greenfield Development has over 50 megawatt of solar and battery storage operating, under construction or contracted and an additional 500 megawatt in early stages of development in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
The Stayner site was chosen for its proximity to electrical infrastructure with available capacity and proper zoning.
The proponent said the benefits to the community include a stronger local energy grid and an annual payment of $18,000 to the municipality, based on a community benefit agreement of $1,000 per megawatt.
There will be short-term jobs during the construction phase but once operational, the BESS is operated remotely.
Marzotto told council that the proponent would work with Clearview Fire and Emergency Services to create an emergency response plan and that the BESS would not become operational without oversight from Hydro One and the Electrical Safety Authority, the Ministry of Energy, and IESO.
Logan Barrett, a consultant with Antler Group chemical response and disaster management, said if there is an issue the fire department would not be expected to extinguish a fire because the containers are designed to burn into themselves. He said the initial evacuation distance would be 500 metres.
“This is very early in the process but it is important that you do feel we are looking for your feedback and [we’re] really heavily depending on working with the local fire service,” he said.
Compass Greenfield Development said it would commit to paying for any additional training and equipment the fire department would require.
Compass Greenfield Development held a community engagement meeting in Duntroon on Sept. 25 which was not advertised and was attended by three people, one of whom was councillor Robert Walker.
“I’m grateful for the fact that you acknowledged having a second public engagement session. I appreciate that very much. I felt that your location was really questionable, being not accessible,” said Walker.
Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren said, as a neighbour, he was not notified of a meeting.
“We need to hear from the public, particularly in and around the Stayner community how they feel about it, but I would be interested to hear from people all across the township,” said Mayor Doug Measures.
Compass Greenfield Development would find out in June if its bid is successful. At that point the permitting process would begin. If all goes according to plan the system would be operational by 2029.
The initial power purchasing agreement would be for 20 years with the intent to extend it.
The next public meeting is at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, 215 Pine St., Stayner, at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28.
