Sterling BESS Project

Stirling BESS Project

We are proposing the Stirling Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the Municipality of Stirling-Rawdon in response to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) procurement process to increase electricity capacity in Ontario. Stirling BESS will help achieve the Government of Ontario’s objective to reduce the need for new generation capacity in the province and more effectively use existing generation facilities.

Stirling BESS is designed as a standalone system with factory-built and modular containers and is expected to use industry-leading lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. The facility will be located near a Hydro One Transmission Line.

Project Overview

Name: Stirling Battery Energy Storage Project
Type of Facility: Standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with factory-built modular containers
Location: Hoards Rd & Bedford Rd, Stirling-Rawdon
Nameplate Capacity: Up to 200 MW
Duration: 4 hours
Number of Acres: 5-10
Operation Length: Up to 30 years
Target Operations Date: May 2027

Open House

On November 6th, we hosted our community Open House in the Lions Hall at the Stirling Rawdon & District Recreation Centre. We’d like to thank everyone who attended, asked questions, and gave their feedback.

If you would like to review our answers to the questions asked during the Open House, click here.

To view our complete Community & Indigenous Engagement Plan, click here.

Why battery storage?

With demand for clean energy expected to outpace Ontario’s current generation capacity over the next decade, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that will help meet our energy needs while contributing to our province’s climate change goals.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is the operator of Ontario’s electricity grid and is undertaking a procurement process to identify Battery Energy Storage solutions to meet the needs of Ontario’s increasing electricity demand.

How battery energy storage systems work

Battery Energy Storage Systems charge a battery bank during hours of surplus energy generation in the grid, then discharge the battery bank during energy deficit hours to meet grid demand.

Storing energy when demand is low and releasing it when it is high optimizes the efficiency of our grid by creating a steady, affordable supply of energy when and where we need it most.  

This solution will maximize the efficiency of our existing energy assets by increasing supply while reducing emissions.

BESS systems have numerous benefits to the overall stability of our electricity grid:

  • Manages peak loads
  • Maximizes efficiency of existing energy assets
  • Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to lower emissions and cleaner air
  • Balances generation of intermittent resources such as wind and solar
  • In practical terms, can help avoid grid outages and blackouts

Construction Timeline & Activities

Straightforward construction over a four to six month period, to begin in late 2026. Major construction activities to include delivery of factory assembled battery containers and components, installation, and Hydro One interconnection.

We value local support for its projects, and as such will be holding open houses and inviting the community to attend and raise questions about our projects. Additionally, we will be requesting a municipal support resolution per IESO requirements which will allow the proposed BESS projects to proceed with remaining development.

We have begun engaging with landowners and securing land. Pending project approval from the IESO in late 2023, we will undertake the required environmental and engineering surveys and studies with the goal of completing final design and receiving notice to proceed to construction in late 2026.

The current target commercial operational date for the proposed BESS projects is 2027.

Links

Contact: ontariopowerbess@gmail.com