Editor,
Our Provincial Government continues to promote Cleaner, Cheaper and Faster technologies for energy systems in Ontario.
But they have teamed up with a giant corporation Trans Canada Energy who have adopted our local Indigenous Communities to build (in the municipality of Meaford) an Out-dated, Expensive and Inefficient storage system called Pumped Storage! This is confusing! It will disrupt protected Niagara Escarpment lands and more, plus Georgian Bay waters! They claim their project is “Green”, yet it will pour about 490,000 tons of carbon into our atmosphere and create extensive noise and dust pollution during it’s likely 7- year long construction. This is not Green nor carbon neutral if completed! Thanks to rapidly developing technologies there are systems available that can be operational in half the time, that cost less than half as much to build, that are more efficient AND that will do zero disruption of our agricultural and protected natural landscapes! These options are being purposely ignored by TCE and the Ford government. Why?
As an example, Ontario could replace this Pumped Storage Project (PSP) system with a modern Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Here is a comparison:
BESS is 92% efficient when operating, PSP is 67% efficient (with PSP it takes 1400 MW to produce every 1000MW of energy).
BESS can be in place and operational in 2 years. PSP will take between 4 to 7 years.
BESS costs to construct would be at most *3.5 billion dollars. Pumped Storage will cost 7 billion dollars MINIMUM. * For comparable outputs
BESS power is available immediately on demand and can de stopped immediately on demand. PSP is cumbersome and slower to respond to demands.
BESS systems can be constructed over time as Ontario’s energy grid expands, we do not need 1000mW immediately! We could build two or three 250mW systems to start with and then add on storage units as needed over time. IF technology advances new and more efficient systems over the next few years, we can adopt those new systems and we will have invested only a few million dollars on these smaller older BESS. PSP is “build once, build big and invest Billions” now. As energy storage technology advances PSP may even be obsolete before it is complete: remember that is likely a 10-year timeline to construct!
BESS requires a concrete slab, several battery packs (like shipping containers) and equipment to tie in with the grid and would be built next to transfer stations (likely on wasted lands beneath existing power lines). PSP will require blasting open a large pit on Escarpment Dolomite Cap rock, building a 70 foot high brim to contain the water necessary for storage here, tunnel under escarpment lands from the reservoir to Georgian Bay and construct generators and pumps along that line, tunnel or lay high power transmission lines across Georgian Bay to Wasaga and then tunnel or construct high power transmission lines to the Stayner Transfer station.
BESS will surely provide our Indigenous neighbours to participate in the planning and construction of facilities and as well to benefit financially from operations. This is a given!
A question: What is our best investment for all
Pat Maloney, Meaford
