Energy Storage Resources: Best Practices and Key Considerations for Municipalities
Ontario has identified energy storage resources as a key component of the province's grid modernization and path to decarbonization. As such, many municipalities are being asked to evaluate proposals for battery energy storage systems (BESS) - one of the most commonly deployed types of energy storage in the world today. To help municipalities assess these proposals and better understand the role these projects play in supporting the low carbon energy transition, Energy Storage Canada provided an overview of best practices and key considerations for the deployment of BESS installations.
Additional Resources
Presentation and Discussion Summary
- Energy storage technologies capture energy when it's in surplus and discharge it when it's needed, which is vital for managing Canada's evolving electricity supply.
- The discussion focused on different forms of energy storage, including chemical options like lithium-ion batteries and mechanical systems such as pumped hydro.
- Energy storage is needed to support transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhance reliability, reduce costs by deferring infrastructure investments, and assist in meeting peak demand.
- A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a type of energy storage technology primarily leveraging lithium-ion batteries due to their favorable energy and power density. This technology allows for rapid response times, essential for managing fluctuations in electricity demand and supply within the provincial grid.
- BESS consists of stacked battery cells arranged in racks within shipping containers, typically around 20 feet long. In addition, each system is equipped with comprehensive management systems including temperature control, fire safety measures, and emergency response protocols to ensure operational safety.
- The compact nature of battery storage allows it to occupy less land than more extensive renewable energy installations like solar or wind farms. This adaptability means the land can often be returned to its original use after energy storage installations.
- Energy storage is critical for optimizing surplus electricity, responding quickly to fluctuations, and providing backup power for essential services such as hospitals.
- The overall safety of battery installations has improved over time, with standards for fire detection and suppression helping to ensure that incidents are infrequent. In regions like the United States and Australia, even with the very rapid increase in battery storage systems, cases of thermal runaway incidents are declining.
- The development of energy storage projects involves substantial collaboration with local municipalities and Indigenous communities. This engagement ensures that installations benefit local regions and that any concerns about energy storage are addressed.
- Recent projects demonstrate a significant level of participation from First Nations in the planning and implementation of energy storage solutions.
- Most battery projects requests are in areas where there is a limitation in the grid to meet the demand. With most projects being proposed for southern Ontario thus far.
- Proponents typically initiate engagement with municipalities when proposing energy projects in a region.
- These proposals often include Community Benefit Agreements, which outline the mutual advantages of the partnership. Benefits can vary but frequently include rental income from the use of land (if on municipal land) and other community support initiatives.
- The conversation between corporate proponents and municipalities or First Nations communities revolves around identifying the community's specific needs, allowing flexibility in negotiations for potential benefits.
- As more energy storage projects get advanced municipalities may need to update their Official Plans to identify designated areas for possible projects. Ottawa is presently updating their OP with BESS being brought in.
- The US is about a year or two ahead of Ontario in terms of implementation. States in the northeastern U.S. are especially noteworthy examples, as their electricity grids share similarities with those in Ontario.
- These states are actively engaging in conversations and decision-making processes about energy storage, indicating a collaborative approach between municipal and state levels.
- The goal is to learn from these jurisdictions in terms of zoning and the criteria for site selection for energy storage installations, which could inform future strategies in Ontario.
- Issues relating to e-bikes were discussed due to instances of e-bike batteries and fire risk on public transit. Metrolinx recently required e-bikes to get an inspection to ensure their batteries meet CSA certification. The question of if here may be additional interventions that may be required for underground transit systems. What other public transit entities were doing re e-bikes was raised on a potential future area for discussion.
E-Bike and Fire Risk
BESS as Vehicle Electric Batteries Second Life
- Many jurisdictions are repurposing transit and vehicle batteries when they reach their end of life and still can charge up to 80 % of their charge. That loss in charging power may be an issue for a vehicle but it isn't an issue for a BESS. That is emerging as the batteries second life and when it reaches its end of life in the BESS it will be recycled as there are a lot of valuable materials in those batteries.
- Biggest concern from fire officials is safety. Energy Storage Canada and the Fire Chiefs have been collaborating to develop best practices that are centered on effective response strategies.
- Starving the fire of oxygen is the most common approach used. It has been found that smoke generated from such fires does not pose a higher risk of toxins compared to standard structure fires, ensuring that there is no significant threat to public health or safety for those nearby or the emergency responders on-site.