Why Waiting on Grid Batteries Will Cost Ontario More Than Acting Now - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the urgent need for Ontario to adopt grid-scale battery storage now rather than delay, emphasizing that waiting will ultimately cost the province more. The author highlights that Ontario already has experience with grid storage through the Sir Adam Beck pumped hydro facility, which manages electricity time-shifting by storing excess energy and releasing it during peak demand. Unlike pumped hydro, batteries offer greater flexibility as they can be installed near transmission congestion points without geographic constraints. The key benefits of grid batteries are their ability to reduce electricity costs by increasing asset utilization—flattening peak demand and raising infrastructure use from 30-60% to 70-80%—and thereby lowering the amortized cost per kWh. Real-world evidence from Australia shows grid batteries saved about AUD 116 million in one year by cutting peak prices, providing frequency response, and avoiding costly network upgrades. The article also addresses safety and health concerns related to battery fires, noting that modern grid batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries with lower