These technologies could work flawlessly, however, if there is an issue, the results could have detrimental effects in rural areas.

Evolugen has stated that the system will be monitored from Gatineau and it could take over an hour for anyone to respond to a sensor alert.(Evolugen meeting Jan 22, 2025)  In turn, we are concerned with disaster response time, should one or more modules overheat and catch on fire.  Typically, the fire fighting effort includes allowing the batteries to burn-out and requires high amounts of water to protect surrounding areas from burning.

As a volunteer group, we are doing a lot of work to advocate for our residents and the environment. A project such as this does not belong in an area that would have such a large impact should something go wrong.

What could go wrong?

We, the residents of Dunrobin with the support of other communities in West Carleton, are concerned about the following:

• Location:  This is a rural, agricultural residential area,  not an industrial site. The project poses significant health, safety and environmental risks to the surrounding area and community. The proposed site is too close to homes and protected wet lands.

• Fire risk and mitigation:  Our local Fire Station 66 does not have a crew stationed 24/7.  Battery fires burn fast and hot, with toxic by-products. Thermal runaway is a known, documented and serious risk. While the possibility of an incident may be low, the potential impact of an incident would be Very High and could be catastrophic for the environment, the community and its residents.

See a document shared by Fitzroy BESS community which documents past battery fires around the world

 

• Environment:  Installed next to an environmentally protected area, should there be any issues the nearby wetlands and water table could be affected which could affect our drinking water. There is a potential impact on flora and fauna, the contamination of the ground water as a result of the water cooling system, leakage,  spill or a fire.  The drainage of the site, including potentially contaminated water, will flow into underlying aquifers across adjacent farmlands,  as well as into numerous nearby streams,  and ultimately into the Ottawa River. 

• Light and noise: The shipping containers will require air conditioning and possibly heating units.  It is unknown how many security lights there will be and what hours these lights will be on for.  Although this is primarily of concern to the neighbours backing on the proposed area, we appreciate the support of our friends and neighbours, as this could definately affect our property values.

• Property values:  Will potential future buyers want to purchase next to such an installation?

• Insurance risk and risk of increased insurance costs:  Nobody knows how this could affect the values of our property, however should an event occur, it will surely affect the rates of immediate neighbours going forward. 

• Evolugen’s experience/lack of with BESS:  According to Evolugen’s website, this will be the first and the largest BESS installations (there is a second site proposed for Trail Road).  The technology according to Evolugen has only been on the market for 3 years. See https://evolugen.com/presence/

• No on-Site Physical Presence: The site will be monitored from Gatineau. There is no provision for on-site or trained personnel. Evolugen has voiced that it could take more than an hour for someone to respond to a sensor alert. 

• Hydro rates: Evolugen claims that our rates will be lowered however they have provided zero substantiation for this.

• Too Many Unknowns: We will be asking many questions at the Town Hall on February 23.  Please join us and express your concerns!