At the Aug. 5 Granby Board of Selectmen meeting, Paul Williamson from Key Capture Energy (KCE) presented information about the company’s proposal to install a battery energy storage facility at 100 Salmon Brook Street. On Aug. 7, Williamson and a team from KCE conducted an open house in the senior center to answer questions from residents regarding the proposal.
Headquartered in Albany, N.Y., KCE was founded in 2016 with the mission to develop and install battery storage energy. It has made 16 installations so far. Battery storage keeps the electric grid stable by storing intermittent renewable energy that it can provide to the grid regardless of whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. It has a very low noise emission, no chemical emissions and requires just over an acre of land.
Williamson explained that the peak times of energy use occur during the work day and then again in the evening when people are at home, making dinner, doing laundry and watching television. For a great part of the year, that second peak occurs after dark has set in. This is when the battery-stored energy is most useful.
Williamson noted that the benefits to Granby include that battery storage is a renewable source of energy not using fossil fuels; it provides a better chance to recover from power outages, and KCE will pay property taxes at the regular mill rate.
The lithium-ion battery cells are organized into modules that are stacked into racks, that are organized in a container. Each module has a dedicated control system that balances the energy load between the cells. The coolant is a gel, which helps to prevent leaking into the ground water as a liquid might do. The outside container is water tight in case there is a leakage. Battery Management Software automatically informs the 24/7 personnel monitoring the system.
Williamson agreed that there can be no absolute declaration that fire won’t occur, although he emphasized that it was highly unlikely. In developing the batteries, it was imperative to prove that they wouldn’t transmit any fire to the abutting batteries.
Before selecting a site for installation, KCE conducted a comprehensive analysis of the existing electrical grid. Battery storage facilities must be located near electric transmission lines as they tie directly into the grid.
As chairman of the Granby Development Commission, Marty Schwager was one of the people KCE contacted when the company was looking at sites in Connecticut. They identified the site in the Mill Pond area as suitable for the installation, and Schwager put them in touch with the Guarco estate that owns the property. A vernal pool survey, wetland delineation, sound studies and geotechnical surveys have been performed with the results submitted to the Connecticut Siting Council. If the council approves the site, a development and management plan will be filed. The plan requires a 60-day review.
The selectmen had several questions for Williamson, most of which involved safety considerations and hesitation regarding the site’s proximity to residential and commercial properties. To hear these questions and the responses, go to the town website and select the Aug. 5 meeting of the board of selectmen from Agendas and Minutes.
Although the Town of Granby cannot deny this installation, it can present its concerns to the Connecticut Siting Council. In order to do this, the town has applied to the council to achieve the Intervener status. After concerns are presented, a public hearing will be allowed.
Editor’s note: Access the 22-page graphic report that was made available to the BOS: