As the lead developer for Key Capture Energy (KCE) in Connecticut, I want to introduce our company and our proposed battery energy storage project here in Granby. I have had the opportunity to present the project to the Granby Board of Selectmen and received feedback from several residents at a community meeting hosted by KCE in August.
Key Capture Energy is an experienced developer, owner and operator of battery energy storage facilities. We pride ourselves on being a trusted and valued member of the communities where our projects are located and working with our host communities proactively and constructively. KCE operates 14 battery energy storage facilities in Texas and New York totaling 623 megawatts (MW) and has been developing projects here in Connecticut since 2018.
Our proposed project in Granby, KCE CT 11, is a relatively small 5 MW facility that will be constructed on less than two acres of land and is not affiliated with the solar farm being developed nearby. The proposal includes visual barriers that will make the facility virtually invisible once completed. The facility does not require water during operations and is specifically designed to contain any fluid leaks. Additional information about the project will be shared on the Connecticut Siting Council website under petition number 1637. The permit review process at the Siting Council is designed to address concerns thoroughly and offers multiple opportunities to learn about the project.
Battery energy storage will play a critical role in helping Granby and the Northeast region meet carbon reduction goals and stabilize the electric grid as more renewable energy comes online. These facilities can store energy directly from the grid during times of low energy demand and respond within seconds to help keep the lights on for households and businesses during times of high demand. In recent years in California and Texas (the states with the most battery energy storage), batteries have consistently helped meet electricity demand during the hottest summer days that strain the power grid to prevent electrical brownouts or blackouts.
Safety is Key Capture’s top priority in developing and operating projects. We strictly adhere to industry best practices through comprehensive operations standards and promote a culture of safety throughout the company.
Once operating, the proposed facility will be monitored 24/7/365 and can be remotely turned off in real time if anything is not operating correctly. The batteries in the facility undergo rigorous safety and compliance testing before being approved. This includes national and international fire association testing, specifically the UL 9540A test related to fire and thermal events. KCE’s safety experts will work with Granby’s emergency response personnel to develop an Emergency Operations Plan that will include comprehensive contingency plans, taking into account all available resources.
We look forward to constructive engagement in the coming months and years to ensure this project can help deliver reliable electricity for the residents of Granby and the surrounding area.