“Who takes all the risk? We do!” said Ana Cultraro, one of many Almaguin residents concerned about a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being proposed at 219 Peggs Mountain Road in Armour Township.
The System involves technology that uses lithium batteries to store electrical energy during periods of low demand and discharge energy back into the grid during periods of high demand.
Although Armour Township is reviewing SolarBank Corporation’s proposal, Cultraro, who lives in Ryerson Township, is deeply concerned with the lack of community awareness surrounding the project. She said she’s particularly concerned about the environmental and residential hazards the facility poses to people living in the area.
She has appeared as a delegation at various Township council meetings, outlining the track record and recorded hazards that BESS facilities have experienced throughout North America and internationally. She is part of a 400-member Facebook group called Armour Township: Say NO to Lithium Battery Storage in Our Community.
The biggest concern involves thermal runaway, which occurs when a lithium-ion battery overheats uncontrollably due to internal or external factors. The temperature inside the battery rises rapidly, causing chemical reactions that can lead to fire, explosion, or significant damage.
According to risk consultant Roger Stokes, Baker Engineering, 10-15 incidents are reported each year against an increasing number and size of BESS projects being installed worldwide.
Cultraro and others in the group are circulating a petition through the Facebook page and word-of-mouth, requesting Armour Township reject the proposal. The petition currently has 367 signatures.
She said the main goal is to raise public awareness. SolarBank has held just one public meeting so far, in 2022, which was attended by only three community members.
Armour Township has posted extensive literature and background information on its webpage.
However, the “Say NO” group argues that the Township should be providing better notification to residents, particularly since many people do not have readily available internet access.
The group cites eight major concerns outlined in the petition, which has garnered more than 360 signatures. They are:
- Structure Fire
- Strain on Local Resources
- Water Contamination
- Air Pollutants
- Diminished Property Values
- Minimal Economic Benefit
- Risk to Local Businesses
- Inadequate Remediation
According to documentation provided by the proponent, the sight will be monitored remotely and equipped with fire suppression devices.
In email correspondence, the Director of Business Development with SolarBank, Ina Lila, stated:
- Safety Standards have evolved and significantly improved since their inception.
- Technological advancements and the rigorous safety protocols ensure both system reliability and community safety.
- These systems have been commercially in use since the early 2000s and have gained popularity due to their long lifespan, high safety profile, and cost-effectiveness.
- The battery system we are deploying utilizes advanced and safe lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which significantly reduces fire risk. It incorporates multiple safety mechanisms, including active and passive venting, 24/7 monitoring, and an advanced battery management system that continuously tracks temperature, hydrogen levels, and smoke to ensure any irregularities are detected and addressed immediately
- To further enhance safety, we will provide the fire department with air quality monitoring equipment, at our cost, to ensure the air quality in the vicinity is closely monitored as needed. Additionally, we are installing a dry hydrant at a location of the fire department’s choosing, ensuring that the project does not affect the Armour Township water supply and that the fire department has a reliable water source if needed.
But Cultraro maintains that BESS facilities have a history of accidents that have impacted many communities in which they are installed.
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I wouldnt want that in my town
Isn’t it ironic. A supposedly “green” technology has so many concerns and much related to the environmental and human safety aspects
Why not insist that the company use completely safe, longest cycling vanadium redux flow batteries instead? They are now installed world-wide.
Why say no to economic development? Armour Township is rural. They need to boost their economy, and more tax revenue would help their community. Sometimes NIMBY’s are very closed minded and will never be open to change