Remember the excitement of receiving gifts as a child, only to find that the batteries weren’t included? Well, soon, in Ontario, batteries will be very much included - and they’ll be transformative.
Several battery energy storage system projects are currently underway in the province, including a 120 megawatt (MW) plant in York region and an 80 MW facility in the municipality of Lakeshore. And by summer 2025, Canada’s largest energy storage facility with the capability to hold up to 250 MW of electricity will come online in Jarvis, Ontario.
The Jarvis plant alone will store enough energy to effectively take a city of approximately 200,000 people off the grid during peak usage times, and reduce provincial green house gas emissions by two to four million tonnes.
As the holiday season fills the air with excitement, it’s also the perfect time to think about gifts for the planet, and we couldn’t think of one better than shining a spotlight on battery storage. We’ll unwrap the details of this technology and explore its positive impacts on the environment, renewable energy systems, the electricity grid, and our homes and businesses.
Understanding battery storage
Battery storage, also known as a battery energy storage system, refers to the technology that captures and stores electricity for later use. These systems typically use advanced batteries, such as lithium-ion, or emerging solid-state technologies, to store excess energy. Battery storage can be deployed at various scales, from small residential units to large grid-scale facilities like the one noted above in Jarvis, Ontario.
Benefits to the environment
One of the most compelling advantages of battery storage is its potential to reduce environmental impacts - a wonderful gift for the planet:
- Facilitates the transition to renewable energy: Battery storage enables the efficient use of renewable energy by storing surplus generation (e.g., clean hydro or solar power during periods of low demand) and releasing it during peak demand times. This reduces reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources and ensures a smoother integration of renewables into the electricity grid.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions: Battery storage enables the consistent use of clean renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on oil and natural gas, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
- Support for decentralized energy: Battery storage enables local generation, which reduces the need for large-scale infrastructure projects, protecting natural habitats and reducing energy-related land use.
Supporting intermittent renewable energy sources
Renewable energy sources like hydro, solar and wind power are intermittent by nature. The water doesn’t always run, the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. Battery storage is a game-changer for addressing these challenges:
- Energy shifting: Batteries can store excess renewable energy generated during periods of high production and release it later when demand exceeds supply. Kind of like saving extra holiday treats for enjoyment after the holidays.
- Grid stability: By smoothing out fluctuations in energy supply, battery storage prevents disruptions caused by the variability of renewable energy sources.
- Enhanced integration: Battery systems make it easier to integrate renewable energy into existing power grids, accelerating the shift toward clean energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Benefits to the electricity grid
The Independent Electricity System Operator (which oversees the province’s power system) forecasts that electricity demand in Ontario will grow 75 per cent by 2050. The electricity grid faces new challenges with the rise of renewable energy and increase in the electrification of our buildings and transportation. Battery storage offers several key benefits. In a sense they are a stability gift for the grid:
- Demand response: Batteries can release stored energy during peak demand, reducing strain on the grid.
- Frequency regulation: Battery storage helps regulate the grid by quickly responding to changes in supply and demand.
- Infrastructure deferral: By managing energy locally, battery systems can delay or eliminate the need for costly upgrades to grid infrastructure.
Empowering consumers
For individuals and businesses, battery storage provides new opportunities to save money and gain energy independence. Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving:
- Energy bill savings: Consumers can store energy during off-peak hours when prices are low and use it during peak periods, reducing electricity costs.
- Backup power: Battery systems provide a reliable power source during outages, increasing resilience for households and businesses. Unlike diesel or natural gas powered backup generators, batteries are quiet and have no emissions. They don’t disturb neighbours.
- Participation in energy markets: With advanced systems, consumers can earn bill credits from their excess stored energy by selling that power back to the grid.
For our part, Hydro Ottawa views battery storage as more than just a technological advancement; it’s a cornerstone to a more sustainable energy future. Our recent collaboration with The Ottawa Hospital includes the construction of a central utility plant which can also support a larger district energy system in the west downtown core. This proposal includes 4 MW of battery storage.
By enabling greater use of renewable energy, reducing emissions, stabilizing the grid, and empowering customers, battery storage is poised to help Ontario create a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable energy system.
This holiday season, let’s celebrate the potential of battery storage as a present to our province and planet. It’s a step toward a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.
And when you’re out shopping over the holidays, don’t forget to pick up some batteries.