Goreway – Battery Energy Storage System

Capital Power’s battery energy storage system (BESS) installation at the Goreway Power Station (GPS) will provide up to 50 MW of power storage, with electrical energy output for up to four-hours. The project will be located within the footprint of the existing GPS.

The BESS will be used to support grid reliability. It will be charged during times when there is surplus electricity available on the provincial power grid (generally during off-peak hours) and will discharge energy to the grid during peak hours or when there may be a disruption in system supply. The BESS will help meet increasing local and provincial electricity demands by providing critical backup generation support, thereby better enabling both a reliable supply of electricity and flexibility in support of intermittent renewable energy sources (i.e., solar and wind).

BESS systems are non-emitting technologies and will operate independently from the existing GPS.

Background

The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified a significant need for new power supply in the province. At the system level, the IESO is projecting an increasing deficit of generation capacity starting in 2025.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a high priority for the IESO. As a result of this forecasted regional and system wide shortfall, the IESO launched the Expedited Long-Term Request for Proposal (E-LT1 RFP) process has now procured approximately 1,500 MW of capacity from new and existing facilities across Ontario.

In May 2023, Capital Power’s York Battery Energy Storage System project was awarded a 22-year power purchase agreement (114 MW contracted capacity) by the IESO. Learn more.

Project location

The BESS will be located immediately southwest of the existing GPS facility, within the same property owned by Capital Power, municipally referred to as 8600 Goreway Drive (43.7462, -79.6820), City of Brampton, Region of Peel.

Project details

The BESS itself will consist of interconnected, weather-proof modular enclosures that are managed and operated as a single unit. The BESS enclosures are similar in size to shipping containers, approximately 9 metres (m) long, 3 m wide, and 2 m tall, depending on the manufacturer. Each BESS enclosure is fully sealed, centrally controlled, and individually temperature monitored. Each enclosure has its own heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure optimum performance.

The area encompassing the BESS installation will be approximately 0.65 hectares (1.6 acres) in size and within the fence line of the GPS property. The project is being designed to not disturb the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Regulated Area along Mimico Creek and adheres to the City of Brampton’s Zoning By-law setbacks.

The BESS site will be accessed via the existing GPS driveway and parking lot during construction and operation. The construction phase will be approximately one year in duration, and will include site preparation, foundation and laneway construction, component delivery and installation, including crane(s) required for placement of the BESS modules, and post-construction site restoration of temporary construction areas.

The temporary construction storage and equipment laydown areas will be located within the existing GPS property.

Subject to selection by the IESO, construction is currently anticipated to begin in September 2024, upon completion of regulatory permitting and approvals with commercial operations anticipated in August 2025.