We are proposing the Fitzroy Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project, which will consist of installing battery modules, some additional power equipment and light civil, safety, and security infrastructure on ~14 acres of an 80-acre-site on private land in Fitzroy Harbour, ON.

The Project adds renewable capacity and storage to meet Ontario’s rising energy demands during peak-periods, which reduces chances for power outages. The Project also reduces the need for new carbon intensive facilities.

We plan to establish a Community Benefit Fund which will be used to support various local programs, initiative and organizations that focus on:

• Environmental initiatives;
• Health and safety;
• Education and research;
• Community services; and
• Indigenous communities.

The Project will make direct municipal tax contributions over the course of its life, funding services like roads, parks, and education.

We believe in supporting the communities where we live and work. With more than half of our Gatineau office employees living in the Ottawa region, we currently support various programs, initiatives and organizations.

For example, over the past five years we’ve supported: the CHEO Foundation, the Ottawa Food Bank, Dress for Success Ottawa, Ottawa Riverkeeper, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, United Way Ottawa and more.

The risk of fire in a battery energy storage system is very low as they’re equipped with battery management systems, which ensure batteries operate at appropriate temperatures. In very rare circumstances, fire can occur at BESS systems if certain precautions are not taken.

There are rigorous standards in place for the implementation of BESS projects. For example, current industry standards require vendors to complete destructive testing to demonstrate how a fire in one cell/module will not cascade to another (UL 9540A), while also proving that entire battery system is intrinsically fire safe (UL 9540). Evolugen’s projects will comply with all of the industry standards.

Across our operations, we prioritize the health and safety of our employees and communities, which is reinforced through our Public Safety Program and our Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSS&E) Program.

A full Emergency Response Plan will be shared if the Project is awarded a contract from the IESO, it will be developed with local emergency response teams.

Although we have not selected a final battery chemistry, equipment decisions will be based on the quality and safety of the components and will adhere to all applicable standards and certifications.

There is virtually no potential for leakage with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries used in BESS systems because they are sealed dry celled batteries. This is different than the typical acid-based batteries, for example those that are used in vehicles.

During the UL 9540A (Underwriters Laboratories, a main standard organization) test, three entire BESS modules are placed within a cabinet and purposefully forced into a thermal runaway (i.e. overheating leading to fire conditions). During this test, there was no observation of leakage from the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries do not explode. However, all batteries are required by NFPA 855 and UL9540 to have ventilation systems or deflagration management systems, which will evacuate the hydrogen from the cabinets. The ventilation systems will evacuate the hydrogen gas before the pressure becomes too high, while the deflagration panels are designed with deflagration panels to direct the force of the explosion away from any personnel on the ground.

Some noise can be expected during the battery’s operations, which will not exceed 40 decibels at the nearest residence.

In Ontario, there are other Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, but they’re smaller in size, in the 20-40 MWh range. However, the 250 MW/1,000 MWh Oneida Energy Storage project in Jarvis, ON, is under construction. Additionally, there are various large-scale BESS facilities in development elsewhere in Ontario, including the 300 MW Haggersville Project, the 265 MW Napanee Project and the 120 MW York BESS. The BESS facilities in development were awarded contracts during the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) earlier Request for Proposals (RFP), announced this year.

Our parent company, Brookfield Renewable currently operates BESS facilities in the United States. There are other larger facilities in operation in the United States as well as more under construction.

The proposed Project is in the feasibility stage and is pending approval and an RFP award from the Independent System Electricity Operator (IESO). If the Project is awarded, we expect construction to last ~12 months.

If awarded a contract from the IESO, it would start in May 2028 and last 20 years. At the end of the 20-year contract, we will explore repowering or decommissioning the facility. To repower and extend the life of the Project, we would need to obtain another contract from the IESO. If, however, there was no longer a need for the system, we would remove the batteries and remediate the site.

Battery modules would be removed from the containers and transported to recycling facilities. At the facilities, the batteries would be recycled to recover valuable materials such as lithium carbonate, copper and aluminum. Recycling processes are being developed which recycle lithium-iron phosphate batteries, as well as other lithium-ion chemistries used more commonly in electric vehicles.