{"id":187695,"date":"2025-03-13T00:19:30","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T04:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=187695"},"modified":"2025-03-13T00:24:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T04:24:22","slug":"residents-sound-alarm-bell-over-battery-energy-storage-system-proposed-in-armour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/residents-sound-alarm-bell-over-battery-energy-storage-system-proposed-in-armour\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents sound alarm bell over proposed Battery Energy Storage System"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cWho takes all the risk? We do!\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armour Township has posted extensive literature and background information on its webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the \u201cSay NO\u201d group argues that the Township should be providing better notification to residents, particularly since many people do not have readily available internet access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group cites eight major concerns outlined in the petition<\/a>, which has garnered more than 360 signatures. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n