The proposed North Glengarry Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project on Skye Road has sparked discussions among residents, North Glengarry council, and one environmental organization. Previously cited concerns in the local BESS saga included potential threats to wildlife and the environment, a perceived lack of transparency and public engagement, as well as community health and safety.

As Ontario modernizes its electrical grid for reliability and efficiency, BESS projects are being proposed to address Eastern Ontario’s growing energy demands, particularly for heat pumps and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The specific site on Skye Road was selected primarily due to its proximity to the St-Isidore Transformer Station, where it will be connected.

Health and Safety

According to Eco East President Thaila Riden, “Producing electricity is only part of the equation; storing it is equally vital. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can prevent brownouts and blackouts while stabilizing capacity for industries. Battery technology has seen impressive advancements, addressing many early concerns about safety, particularly with lithium-based batteries.”

“Safety must always be a priority. Systems, training, and well-established safety standards can mitigate risks,” Riden continued.

The North Glengarry BESS project must comply with third-party safety and environmental standards set by Hydro-One and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), including regulations on air emissions, noise, and stormwater management.

A spokesperson from Hydro-One confirmed that “Hydro-One’s role in the connection of any Battery Energy Storage System project is to assess the technical requirements, confirm there is capacity on the local grid, and then work with the customer to safely connect their project.”

President of Compass Greenfield Development Jonathan Cheszes stated that such safety provisions encompass capturing “any water used during an emergency so that it can be removed from the site to not impact groundwater.”

Part of the safety plan of action for the BESS project includes the regular maintenance of the electrical and battery equipment, including changing filters of the HVAC equipment and visually inspecting the system. This includes ongoing 24-hour remote monitoring of the system by the project owner, North Glengarry BESS Inc.

“Monitoring is focused on voltage, temperature and gas detection, any of which will alert the operators. Further, any critical abnormalities would automatically be isolated to make the system safe. Our project is more than 500 metres away from any home or building, exceeding Hydro-One’s safety standard,” Cheszes continued.

The BESS project also requires insurance in the event of an emergency to cover the costs associated with any fire or emergency event, paying for the required training for the local fire department, and providing additional equipment should the need arise, all at no cost to residents.

Transparency and Public Engagement

Cheszes detailed Compass Greenfield Development’s extensive public consultation process, which included a project website, direct mail notices via Express Post, a public meeting, and published minutes.

Despite these efforts, some residents felt the consultation process was insufficient.

Riden said that “many residents were unaware of the project until it was already well underway, underscoring the need for better notification methods.”

“The largest hurdle in modernizing our grid is ensuring transparency and keeping our neighbours informed. The public deserves timely, accurate information about proposed projects to fully understand their implications. Renewable projects have often been the target of both misinformation and greenwashing, leading to understandable hesitation among communities,” Riden concluded.

Cheszes assured residents that another meeting could be arranged before construction begins to address community concerns and demonstrate compliance with all safety requirements.

More information on the project and its developments can be found at https://northglengarryenergystorage.com/.