Risky storage

Council opposes large battery storage facility; will consider smaller project

Council decided to take a closer look at two smaller battery energy storage systems (BESS) located south of Picton, but ultimately couldn’t put its support behind a larger project proposed on County Road 5.

Picton BESS Limited Partnership was created by Compass Renewable Energy Consulting Inc. and is supported by Capstone Infrastructure Corporation. The proposal would see the facility built on roughly 15 acres of land on County Road 5 between Elmbrook Road and Fry Road. Picton BESS had plans for a 250-megawatt standalone lithium-ion facility.

According to the proponent, the project would bring significant investment and local benefits, including employment, lease payments and capital spending, to the County’s economy. When fully charged, the facility could supply up to four hours of power support to the grid. The facility has an expected lifespan of roughly 20 years, at which time it would either be decommissioned or renewed, subject to the approval of the landowner at that time.

Several residents spoke in opposition to the project. Angus Ross said there were too many unanswered questions relating to the risk of fire, environmental damage, financing, liability and benefits to the County.

“BESS are a relatively new entrant into the electricity world, driven in part to overcome the intermittent generation of power from renewable sources,” said Ross.“They’ve already been installed in many countries around the globe, but not without problems.”

Ross explained that there had been more than 50 fires at such facilities since 2017, including a fire at a 300-megawatt facility in Australia, which took four days to fully extinguish.

Orville Walsh spoke on behalf of the Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County. He said there was little information on the project and likened it to buying “a pig in a poke.”

“We have no information on the type of equipment that will be used; battery suppliers or electrical components. No information on the HVAC systems. No information on fire detection or suppression systems. And this is a bit of a hangover from the wind turbine days; there is no information about noise, and 250 HVAC systems running on a hot summer night are going to cause some noise,” explained Walsh.

Jonathan Cheszes, President of Compass Energy said that in the past ten years, there had been no such fires in such facilities in Ontario.

“We are hearing a lot of concerns from community members, and a lot of it is conjecture, unfortunately. Also, they are talking about catastrophes that just don’t reflect the record of BESS operating in this province,” said Cheszes. “There are none of these fires, explosions and toxic plumes that have occurred in this province that we have just heard about from a number of speakers.”

He noted that the IESO is procuring this technology to address an urgent need and to get more power into the grid by 2025-2026.

“There is a significant supply gap that is growing in the province,” said Cheszes. “This gap is coming from a retirement of generation, but also from growth and demand due to electrification of industry and transport.”

Sophiasburgh councillor Bill Roberts produced an amending motion, seconded by Councillor John Hirsch, to deny the project.

“I am opposed to the use of prime agriculture land for this purpose,” said Roberts. “We also heard some pretty convincing and alerting information from comments from the audience,” said Roberts. “I don’t think it’s a fair trade for 15 acres of shipping containers, 250 HVAC systems and strong lights that will keep folks awake. The potential fire and contamination risks, I find compelling.”

Council supported Robert’s motion.

Next up was John Kozak, Chief Operating Officer of Solar Flow Through Funds. He outlined a project comprising two smaller BESS projects to be located on Mowbray Road south of Picton. Each BESS at this location would be three megawatts in size and contain three shipping containers, a transformer, electrical equipment, and occupy roughly 2,000 square feet.

“Both of these projects are located on land zoned non-agriculture,” said Kozak. “Both are three megawatts and 12 megawatt-hours in size, meaning they will discharge three megawatts continuously for four hours. It’s one of the smaller projects being proposed in the province.”

Councillor Phil St. Jean asked for a commitment to use a non-lithium-based battery system.

One that has zero, or almost zero risk, similar to sodium ion or zinc ion batteries. I take it you are not willing to commit to that,” said St-Jean.

Kozak said that the intent is to use lithium phosphate batteries, but wouldn’t commit to using any certain type of battery. “We will consider it, but we can’t commit to that,” he said.

Councillor Bill Roberts again introduced a motion to deny the project.

“I want to acknowledge that these two BESS projects are quite different. Abundant is looking at energy meant to serve the local community. It’s smaller in size and makes for a less dangerous installation,” said Roberts. “But there remain, nonetheless, serious concerns for much of the community regarding fire and the risks related to an environmental mishap.”

After Roberts second motion failed, Councillor Brad Nieman brought forward a motion asking for a staff report encouraging discussions with the fire department and municipal staff to get more information to be brought to a special meeting of council on January 25. That motion passed.