Picton BESS Limited

Compass Energy has sights set on County Road 5 location

There was strong opposition to a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) last Tuesday evening during an online public community meeting. Picton BESS Limited Partnership has been created by Compass Renewable Energy Consulting Inc., and is supported by Capstone Infrastructure Corporation. This proposal, which would see the facility built on roughly 15 acres of land on County Road 5 between Elmbrook Road and Fry Road, comes as part of a decree issued early in October by Ontario Minister of Energy, Todd Smith, to procure new electricity supply resources.

A BESS is a type of energy storage system that uses batteries to store and distribute energy in the form of electricity. These systems are commonly used in electricity grids and in other applications such as electric vehicles, solar power installations, and smart homes. These batteries may be charged using excess electricity generated by wind or solar farms, for example, or by grid connection during periods of low demand. Once the battery is full, it stores the electricity until it is needed.

Picton BESS has plans for a 250-megawatt standalone lithium ion facility. Since the project is in its early stages, the final location of equipment like BESS containers and transformers and access roads have not been finalized. According to the proponent, the project will bring significant investment and local benefits including employment, lease payments and capital spending to the County’s economy. If the batteries were fully charged, the facility could supply up to four hours of power support to the grid.

The facility is expected to have a lifespan of roughly 20 years, at which time it will either be decommissioned or renewed subject to approval of the landowner at that time.

Many audience members worried about the loss of prime farmland. “You can’t ever put prime farmland back after it’s been developed,” said Bill Peel. “Mother nature made it and we don’t have any more of it,” he added.

Athol resident Bob Rogers agreed. “Why are you not looking at non-prime farmland to do this if you have some flexibility to move this around?” he asked “Non-agricultural development on prime farmland is not currently acceptable in the County.”

James Marzotto, Associate Director of Development with Compass Energy, explained that the site was chosen due to its proximity to the Picton transformer station. “Picton transformer station and Picton transmission lines have been identified as preferred by the IESO,” said Marzotto

“We chose this site for close proximity to infrastructure,” said Jonathan Cheszes of Compass Energy. “We realize it is on agricultural land. We also recognize it is a sacrifice. Any development activity will have some sort of impact on its local environment, however, we want to ensure that our proposed project minimizes the potential for negative impacts through extensive due diligence prior to construction,” he said.

Gary Mooney asked how the facility will be allocated power. “What is the process of acquiring power to charge batteries? Will you be allocated power from the grid at certain times at predetermined rates?” he asked.

Cheszes confirmed that Picton BESS would purchase power at current market rates and then discharge power at the same market rates.

Questions regarding the connection to the former White Pines Wind Energy project were brought up by Liz Driver. She asked if the developer had purchased the White Pines wind projects and if they were leasing the land.

It was acknowledged that there is a land lease agreement with the property owner, but that it was not through any acquisition of White Pines. “It is Compass who entered into a property lease with the landowner,” said Cheszes. It was also noted that there was a previous lease option registered on title through White Pines, but it expired and was removed from title.

The biggest concern of the evening seemed to be environmental impact and safety. Many felt that a fire at the facility would be a challenge for the County’s volunteer fire department. “Considering it can take days to fight these fires, what are the components of the retardant and where would the water come from?” asked Jennifer Plewes. “Do firefighters need special training?” she added.

Peel asked about toxins in the air. “Given that the County regularly has winds above 100 km/h, what is being done to prevent emissions of toxins?”

Compass Renewable Energy will present its proposal to council on January 10. More information can be found at pictonenergystorage.com.