Balancing our electricity supply
Our project is one of the largest climate-change initiatives being developed in Canada. It is a truly state-of-the-art design, incorporating the latest and best technologies to fully enhance a reliable and proven energy storage technology that accounts for 95 per cent of global energy storage.
The project's zero emission footprint makes it an environmentally responsible energy solution for Ontario that will also help Canada meet its 2030 target of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Aside from benefiting the climate, the project will ensure Ontario gets the most value from its power generation, storing excess energy at night, during periods of low demand, and providing an energy balance by delivering that stored energy during the day, at times of extreme weather, during periods of high demand, reliably and responsibly.
Overview
TC Energy is proposing to develop an energy storage facility that would provide 1,000 megawatts of flexible, clean energy to Ontario’s electricity system using a process known as pumped storage.
Pumped hydro storage (pumped storage) involves pumping water from a low-lying reservoir during periods of low demand for electricity, typically at night, to a higher-elevation reservoir. When electricity demand is greater (and therefore electricity is more expensive), operators release water back to the lower reservoir through turbines that generate electricity (similar to hydropower from dams).
TC Energy is in the very early stages of introducing and developing this project. There are numerous levels of assessment and approvals required before this concept could become a reality. If developed, the proposed facility would be co-located on the existing Canadian Army’s 4th Canadian Division Training Centre, north of Meaford, Ontario. It will be designed to store emission-free energy and would provide that energy to Ontarians when they need it most.
What is pumped storage?
What is pumped storage and how does it work?
Watch our video explaining pumped storage hydro power and how it can allow Ontario to get full value from its nuclear, wind and solar power.
Pumped storage hydro power represents nearly 95 per cent of global energy storage and there are 100 projects underway as more countries embrace this tried and true technology.
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