G - Future Projects and Opportunities

The above list of activities provides an overview of projects that have been completed or are in progress. There are however a number of future opportunities and initiatives that administration is investigating and/or developing which include the following:

1. Energy / Battery Storage

   For years, battery storage was considered elusive, hindered by high upfront costs and technical setbacks. But over the past decade, battery storage has taken great leaps toward mainstream use, expanding exponentially alongside renewable technologies.

   Advances in technology and materials have greatly increased the reliability and output of modern battery systems, and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the associated cost.

   Large-scale battery storage is an emerging technology and presents an opportunity to reduce expenses associated with peak-time electricity use. By charging battery banks “off-peak” and utilizing this stored electricity when costs are increased by time-of-use billing, grid electricity demand can be trimmed when costs are highest.

   Energy Initiatives undertook a Battery Storage feasibility Study which was completed in November 2019. The study identified opportunities for installing a 1MW system at LRWRP and a 500 kW at LRPCP. The savings vary depending on model/type selected. As an example based on a “shared savings” model, which involves no upfront capital, or ongoing maintenance costs, the City would realize combined annual savings that range between $150,000 and $300,000.

   Administration will be issuing an RFP in September 2020 the results of which will for a report and recommendation for City Council to consider.

2. Net Metering

   “Net metering” is an agreement with the local distribution company (EnWin Utilities Ltd.) and Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to utilize on-site the renewable power generated at a facility. Electricity production in excess of that utilized by the building is delivered to the local utility grid and credited to the customer to offset future electricity costs. Customers are still responsible for charges not calculated on the basis of the customer’s consumption (i.e. monthly fixed charges or peak demand based charges). Excess monthly renewable generation greater than monthly consumption creates a credit for the customer that can be carried forward for up to a rolling 12 month period. After a positive credit balance has been carried for that period, any excess generation credit is reduced to zero and lost by the customer.

   Under Ontario’s net metering program, customers can generate renewable energy onsite for their own use, and receive bill credits for any surplus electricity sent to the grid. The customer draws from the grid when their onsite needs are not met by the renewable energy source.