Public meeting in Pickering Thursday for proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility

The company proposing a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility in north Pickering will be hosting a public meeting Thursday where residents can see what the hubbub is all about.

Houston-based Plus Power is developing a 205 megawatt/820 MWhour state-of-the-art battery energy storage system that will provide clean capacity to Ontario’s electricity system, especially during peak times.

The Trillium Energy Storage project will enhance grid reliability by drawing and storing energy from the grid during off-peak periods and releasing it back to the grid when energy demand is at its highest.

The project is expected to provide significant benefits to Ontario’s ratepayers by reducing the need and cost associated with using gas-fired power plants during times of peak demand as well as helping to clean Ontario’s electricity system by optimizing the use of renewable energy resources.

The facility, to be located near Fairport Road and the Third Concession and adjacent to the existing Cherrywood Transformer sub-station, is expected to be operational by 2027.

Plus Power intends to submit a proposal to the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator in December for a long-term capacity contract for the Trillium project. If successful, Plus Power will proceed with the planning and environmental approvals, engineering, and construction, with the objective of bringing the project online within four years.

The public meeting will be held at the Chestnut Hill Recreation Complex between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday.