At the November 17th Council meeting, Synergi Power Systems Inc. asked for municipal support for their application to secure a long-term contract to provide electricity to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
This is the provincial Crown Corporation responsible for operating the electricity market and directing the operation of the bulk electrical system in Ontario. It collects fees and provides operating licenses and manages the provincial power system to ensure our current and future energy needs are met. Energy demand forecasts indicate that demand is projected to 65% by 2050, fueled by the electrification of industries such as transportation, the energy appetite of data centres and other requirements of artificial intelligence activities.
Synergi Power is preparing to submit a proposal within a current opportunity where the IESO is seeking to secure an additional 1 to 3 terawatt hours of electricity. A terawatt hour is the equivalent of one trillion watts of energy used over one hour. The crown corporation is looking to secure forms of supply that can meet demand specifically during peak hours and to address the emerging growth in demand.
The proponent is seeking to secure a contract under the current window for submissions, which has a deadline of December 18th. Proposals must include an indication of municipal support on a conceptual level. It does not include permits or specific project approvals. The proponent owns an existing power-generating facility on Fallis Line which has the capacity to produce0.1 megawatt of energy, which owners describe as a demonstration level rather than a commercially viable one. They hope to secure a long-term con-tract to provide up to 1 MW of power. The project consists of two reciprocating gas engines to be installed inside weather-proof enclosures equipped with noise abatement features, and ancillary equipment such as electrical switchgear and trans-formers. Unlike the other green energy such as wind and solar, biogas energy can be quickly accessed on demand.
Biogas is a renewable source of methane gas produced when organic matter breaks down without oxygen (Anaerobic Digestion) and can be used for energy and fuel. It is derived from decomposing organic materials such as manure, crop waste, food scraps, landfills and wastewater treatment sludge. Most biogas projects in Ontario are based in agricultural settings. Collected materials are placed in a sealed, oxygen-free container called a digester. Microorganisms break down the organic matter, generating biogas, this process called anaerobic digestion. Biogas is collected and stored or used directly for energy production in the form of electricity or natural gas. After digestion, the leftover solid materials, called digestate, which is rich in nutrients can be returned to the soil as a fertilizer or soil amendment for agriculture. Biogas can be used for renewable heat, electricity and pipeline quality gas. It is considered a renewable resource because emissions of carbon dioxide created through the combustion process are matched by the carbon dioxide pulled from the atmosphere in the production process, so it is considered to be carbon neutral. The Fallis Line operation uses agricultural inputs such as manure, silage and crop residues.
During peak demand, engines in the proposed project are expected to operate between 500-1000 hours per week. Air and noise emissions will adhere to Ministry of the Environment standards. The engines will be equipped with automatic fire detection which ensures that fuel is cut off automatically if fire is detected. The fire risk is also mitigated by the enclosures. The project would provide year-round energy generation services from new build electricity-generating facilities.
Successful applicants will be notified in June, with the expectation their projects will be operational by the end of 2028.