Proposed Lithium Iron Battery Energy Phosphate Storage System (BESS) in Armour Township
SolarBank will be hosting a public information session on
Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the
the Katrine Community Centre, 6 Brown's Drive, Katrine.
For those that cannot attend in person, please click on the following
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89135838182?pwd=EV6P4HECd2iA00UmUR4IAdGmz2VJrv.1
OR Join Meeting Via Telephone:
1-647-374-4685
Meeting ID: 891 3583 8182
Public Information Session - April 7, 2025
A public information session will be hosted by SolarBank on Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Katrine Community Centre, 6 Brown's Drive, Katrine at 7:00 p.m.
Public Information Session Flyer - April 7, 2025
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89135838182?pwd=EV6P4HECd2iA00UmUR4IAdGmz2VJrv.1
Community Engagement Plan
Community Engagement Presentation - December 2024
Community Engagement Plan - September 2024
As part of the procurement, SolarBank is proposing to install a utility grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) to be located at 219 Peggs Mountain Rd, Armour, ON P0A 1C0, where a ground mount solar photovoltaic system is currently in operation. The BESS will be charged by the local grid overnight when there is low electricity demand and will supply power to the grid at times of high demand, providing significant benefits to grid reliability. The system will be a 5-megawatt/20-megawatt hour battery energy storage system using lithium ion technology.
Site location is subject to change after landlord, community engagement and engineering studies.
Community Engagement Plan
As the project developer, Abundant Solar Energy Inc. plans to engage the local community as part of the development process.
This plan includes the following:
Hosting at least one public meeting before December 20, 2022 in an accessible location so that local residents can learn about the Long-Term Reliability Project(s), ask questions, and raise any potential concerns.
- Posting the Public meeting notice a minimum of 15 days in advance on the project website.
- Notifying owners of property adjacent to the Project Site of the public meeting via correspondence.
- Notifying the owner of the Project Site and municipality of the public meeting via correspondence.
- Posting all project information, site scale map, and public meeting minutes on project website.
- Providing contact information on project website for any questions that residents may have and will be responsive in a timely matter.
CONTACT:
Tracy Zheng – CAO
Abundant Solar Energy
tracy.zheng@abundantsolarenergy.com
BESS Proposal Description
Proposal description of the Facility
The 903 BESS project has a nameplate rating of 4.99MW/19.9MWh which will be comprised of nine identical energy storage containers, five inverters, two transformers, overhead poles to connect to HydroOne 44kV distribution system and other auxiliary electrical equipment. The containers and power conversion systems (inverter and transformer) will be mounted on concrete foundations. Collection cabling between the containers and inverters will be installed below the surface at an approximate depth of 1 m.
The Facility is comprised of a Battery Energy Storage System, energy storage power station and a Balance of Plant. The BESS will be installed on robust foundation suitable for supporting the BESS based on site survey, load tests, geotechnical data, and structural calculations. The Facility will be protected by a fence. Only authorized personnel will have access. The Facility will also include appropriate hazard detection systems, such as smoke, heat and gas detectors monitored by a control center 24/7 which will alert operators to emergency situations.
The System would use Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chemistry and power conversion system tested and certified according to applicable standards.
Planning Justification Report - 2024
Planning Justification Report - October 2024
DeLoyde Development Solutions has been retained by SolarBank to provide professional planning services in connection with the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) operation west of Peggs Mountain Road in Armour Township.
Hazard Mitigation Analysis
Emergency Response Plan
Fire Department Training Schedule
Environmental Impact Study - Phase 1
Draft Site Plan
Stormwater Management
Air Quality and Noise Study
Vegetation Management Plan
Commissioning Plan
Decommissioning Plan
EVLO BESS Standards
4. EVLOFLEX is not a walk-in unit
EVLO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro-Québec. EVLO was launched in 2020.
Failure Incident Database: Analysis of Failure Root Cause
Insights from EPRI’s Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Failure Incident Database
This report utilizes data from EPRI’s BESS Failure Incident Database, as well as findings from incident reports, root cause analyses, and expert interviews to develop an aggregate analysis of failure causes. The report found that a significant fraction of BESS failure incidents had an unknown root cause. Of the incidents that were classified, there was no single cause that contributed to a majority of failures. The balance-of-system components and controls were the leading causes of failure, with the cell having a relatively small number of failures attributed to it. The battery industry continues to engage in R&D activities to improve prevention and mitigation measures, including development of a better understanding of the diverse causes of BESS failures.
Community Engagement Notice 2022
Minutes of Public Community Engagement: November 2, 2022
BESS Presentation 2022
PENDING - Site Plan Agreement: Plans & Drawings
Incomplete to date.
Schedules:
-Site Plan (RESERVIOR for fire suppression. Minister of Energy recommended noise buffering, fencing, surface treatment of grounds, fire route)
-Stormwater Management Plan
-Vegetation Management Plan
-Decommissioning Plan
-Other:
Hydro One Design Documentation from the BESS Fire Protection Risk and Response Assessment Standard, including:
•Code Review
•Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA) including UL 9540Listing, UL 9540A Test Reports, Fault ConditionAssessment
•Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) including Community Risk Assessment and Air/Gas Dispersion Study
•Fire Protection Design Documentation, includingPassive Fire Protection Systems, Active Fire ProtectionSystems
•Commissioning Plan
•Emergency Response Plan (with Hydro One)
•Emergency Response & Fire Suppression Plan with the Burk’s Falls & District Fire Department and Township ofArmour’s Community Emergency Management Co-ordinator
•Details on emergency training schedule with local fire
PENDING PEER REVIEW - Official Plan Amendment & Zoning By-law Amendment Application
Armour Township Council met in 2022 to consider supporting a Lithium Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 219 Peggs Mountain Road. As part of Council’s consideration, the public was engaged at the time by presenting the proposal publicly as well as hosting a Public Meeting at Katrine Community Centre, notifying the adjacent property owners.
SolarBank has secured IESO approval to establish a 4.99 MW BESS in Armour Township.
During recent consultations with Township staff in connection with proposed Official Plan and Zoning Amendments, and site plan approval for BESS, Township staff requested a full and transparent public engagement process.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Proposal
The applicant proposes to co-locate a 4.99 megawatt BESS operation with an existing solar array on the land. Ontario’s electrical distribution regulator, IESO approved the subject Pegg’s Mountain property for expedited approval. The applicant will be submitting an information package on BESS systems as part of the application submission. The project will consist of nine identical energy storage containers, five inverters, two transformers, overhead poles to connect to HydroOne 44kV distribution system and other auxiliary electrical equipment. The containers and power conversion systems (inverter and transformer) will be mounted on concrete foundations. Collection cabling between the containers and inverters will be installed below the surface at an approximate depth of 1 m.
Future Consent Application for a Lease to April 2047
Following approval of the Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning applications, the applicant will submit an application to the Southeast Parry Sound District Planning Board for a consent under Section 51 of the Planning Act to allow the applicant to lease the proposed BESS site.
Site Plan and Building Permit Applications
Following approval of the Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning applications, SolarBank will submit a Site Plan approval application to the Township of Armour. The site plan is based on the recommendations of the supporting technical studies including a geotechnical study, a noise impact study, and a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment. A future application for a building permit will be made following the approval of the planning applications.
Proposed Public Engagement Process
- SolarBank to make complete Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and SIte Plan Agreement applications to Armour Township illustrating the scale and location and function of the BESS.
- SolarBank to submit supporting documentation, BESS location, project details, the Planning Justification report and descriptions of technical studies including environmental and planned fire suppression guarantees.
- SolarBank applications and documentation will be posted on the Township of Armour website.
- Armour Township to circulate the proposal to interested agencies making available the supporting documentation.
- Armour Township to post the documentation and project details to the public.
- Armour Township shall give notice of and hold the prescribed public meeting under the Planning Act including the link to the supporting material. Armour Township staff may, at its discretion, publish a broader notice of the BESS public meeting at SolarBank’s expense. The published notice will include the website address where the supporting material can be reviewed by the public.
- At the public meeting, SolarBank will give an extended, detailed presentation of all aspects of the proposed BESS plant and answer public and Council questions.
- Armour Township will consider the input received at the public meeting as well as any necessary follow-ups and decide on SolarBank’s OPA and ZBA at a future Council meeting.
- The public will have another opportunity to appear at the future Council meeting and make further representations to Council before a final decision is made on SolarBank’s proposed OPA and ZBA.
For additional information, please email Charlene Watt, Deputy Clerk at deputyclerk@armourtownship.ca
