On October 30th, CAFES submitted feedback on the City of Ottawa's proposal for an Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment regarding battery energy storage systems (BESS).
BESS are devices that enable renewable energy (such as wind and solar) to be stored and released when the power is needed. BESS is becoming increasingly vital in the modern energy landscape. These technologies will be essential to quicken the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy, and will be a key link between renewable energy supply and electricity demand. BESS offers numerous benefits including energy resiliency and grid stabilization, integration of renewable energy resources, enhanced energy independence and lower energy costs. In Ottawa, energy storage and energy resiliency are needed in all parts of the municipality.
However, CAFES found that the proposed planning and zoning approach to BESS was restrictive. The current approach does not position the city as a place that welcomes innovation and investment in clean technology, and would actually stifle economic development. The proposal mires BESS projects in regulatory uncertainty, lack of transparency and delays. We found that the city's approach will not have enough flexibility to meet the constant emerging of new technologies, and that the proposed restrictions were not necessary to protect health and safety, or to address land use planning considerations.
To respond to these concerns, CAFES convened a volunteer working group on this subject, which was instrumental in developing this BESS submission to the city. We also consulted our submission with the CAFES Climate Caucus group on October 28th. The CAFES climate community has ultimately demonstrated clear interest and strong support for BESS technology in Ottawa.
Check out our submission below to see our specific recommendations. For any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact info@cafesottawa.ca
