A proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) on a private lot in the east end of Deep River will be as safe as safe can be.
That was the message delivered to town council last week by Simon Rowland, chief executive officer of Renewable Power Partners (RPP).
The company is proposing the project under the Independent Electrical System Operator’s (IESO) second long-term request for proposals to secure new supplies of electricity for Ontario’s power grid.
The IESO is the province’s electricity system operator and planner, and it released a report earlier this year warning that annual demand for electricity in Ontario will grow by 75 percent by 2050.
Renewable Power Partners has developed 71 “competitive renewal projects” across Ontario like the one being proposed in Deep River, along with more than 60 that are underway in New York State.
“Our track record shows we’re experienced, reliable and committed to delivering clean energy solutions that work well,” Rowland told council.
The 30 Mw battery energy storage project RPP is proposing to build would connect to the existing 115 kV transmission corridor which runs just north of the Balmer Bay Road property on a pair of tall wooden utility poles.
“It’s quite a small project, as far as these projects go, as this particular line is capacity-limited,” Rowland said, noting the BESS would be comprised of 50 29-foot long containers.
It’s a large lot, Rowland told council, over 220 acres in size, and in addition to being situated some 600 metres from the nearest lot-line, the BESS would be screened from view by existing trees on the property.
Rowland added the battery energy storage system is “stuffed with sensors” for things like smoke and infrared heat, and their compartmentalization means that, even in a worst-case scenario where one battery catches on fire, the others won’t…
Rowland added the battery energy storage system is “stuffed with sensors” for things like smoke and infrared heat, and their compartmentalization means that, even in a worst-case scenario where one battery catches on fire, the others won’t.
