Editor,
If you want to get real comparative data about Grid storage options, do this web search. “Grid Storage Comparisons”.
There is a lot of information available from well researched, reputable sources. Or, you could just read TMI letters from local “experts” with their “opinions”.
The following is based on my research from many sources.
Batteries. ( Li-Ion)
- Life expectancy/warranty 10-15 years
- Efficiency: 70%. Draining them below 10% renders the battery unusable. Charging above 80% reduces life expectancy and efficiency.
- The lifetime number of cycles (charge to discharge ) is 1,000 to 10,000. Efficiency drops as cycles increase.
- Exposure to fire or flood or improper charging results in catastrophic explosions.
- Efficiency is reduced by high humidity and temperature extremes.
- Money to purchase them goes to the US or China. Not made in Canada.
- The cost to charge the batteries (using lowest off peak rate from Hydro One of $0.028/kw) would be $28,000/day or $10M/year.
- The current cost of this solution is about 1 million USD/megawatt that will deliver 1 MW of energy for 4 hrs. Scaled up to a 1,000 MW system, comparable to Ontario Pumped Storage, would be 1 Billion USD + installation costs. Remember that it would need replacement every 10-15 years. Maybe a next generation technology may be available by then but there are no guarantees about the cost or future technology.
- There are no benefits to Meaford to help reduce taxes or pay for infrastructure improvements in Meaford.
- It is very good for personal use (small tools, EVs, bikes, scooters, home electrical backup vs gas). I know, I have made these investments and am happy with them so far; but I do know people who have had bad experiences (fires) with Li-Ion batteries that burned their house down.
Pumped Storage/Hydro
- Life expectancy: 50-100 years. Locally, Lake Eugenia was formed in 1915 by damming a tributary of the Beaver River. Ninety years on, it is still safely producing 3,500 kWh into the grid.
- Efficiency: 70 – 80% . Fully draining or charging is not a problem.
- The number of cycles (discharge to charge) is un-limited.
- Exposure to fire or flood or electrical charging failures is not a problem.
- Efficiency is not impacted by high humidity or temperature extremes.
- Money to purchase this solution mostly stays in Canada.
- The cost to fill the water reservoir may be comparable to charging batteries.
- The current cost of this solution is about 6-7 billion CAD amortized over its lifetime. Fully charged, it will deliver 1,000 MW of energy. That is enough to power one million homes for 11 hrs.
- TC Energy is willing to inject 1.5 million into Meaford tax base every year for 50 years. This will help with many infrastructure projects and reduce or stabilize property taxes.
- It is the best option for long term grid storage.
I have not explained other options for grid storage. There are several, but most are not proven or cost effective or currently available.
I am very supportive of the pumped storage/hydro solution that TC Energy is proposing. It comes with so many benefits to the town of Meaford, the province of Ontario, and to all of Canada. It is a Canadian-made solution, in Canadian dollars, providing Canadian jobs and local investment in businesses. It is tariff immune. In the end, it helps the environment, reduces climate impacts by reducing gas-powered generators, and enables a stable electric grid. A solution that Trump can’t touch.
I would much rather that we choose a long term solution, using proven, safe technologies for our grid infrastructure.
Dave MacDougall, Meaford
