TC Energy has begun testing in Georgian Bay as part of its environmental studies for its pumped storage energy project proposal at the military base in Meaford.
A large floating barge recently appeared in the waters of Georgian Bay off the shore of 4th Division Training Centre – the military base located in the Municipality of Meaford. TC Energy – the proponents of the pumped storage energy project – are conducting in-water tests. The tests are offshore geotechnical investigations to better understand the soil and rock composition. The tests involve borehole drilling below the lakebed.
“The testing we are completing this summer is one of many important studies we are undertaking to ensure the Ontario Pumped Storage Project is designed and delivered to the highest environmental and technical standards,” Sara Beasley, external relations for TC Energy
“We’re excited to begin this work, as it signals meaningful progress in advancing the project. Protecting Georgian Bay is a priority for TC Energy — multiple layers of design, procedures and oversight will be implemented to demonstrate protection of Georgian Bay during the testing,” she said.
Beasley said the testing is expected to carry on until the end of September. She said the barge is used to do the testing due to the depth of the water.
“TC Energy has retained WSP, a leading Canadian engineering firm to manage this work. WSP’s team of expert technical contractors have direct experience in similar offshore drilling in the Great Lakes. WSP has engaged Saugeen Ojibway Nation members to support the geotechnical program,” Beasley said.
Beasley added that the testing required the authorization of the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Department of National Defence has also been engaged in the project.
“This type of work is common in the Great Lakes, as many types of projects include components that extend into bodies of water,” said Beasley. “For the Ontario Pumped Storage Project, an inlet and outlet structure will be required to move water into and out of Georgian Bay. The geotechnical data is required to ensure the feasibility and safety of the inlet and outlet structure.”
The test results will be publicly available through the regulatory process.
“Laboratory testing will be completed on the sampled materials and will be incorporated into the project’s design documents as part of the upcoming regulatory process. Once the regulatory process commences, the project’s regulatory documents will be available for public review and feedback,” said Beasley.
The pumped storage proposal would see a reservoir constructed on the military base property that would be 30 metres deep and cover about 375 acres. Water would be pumped up from Georgian Bay, using electricity from the grid during off-peak hours, through 20 different intake/outflow pipes that stick out above the lakebed from tunnels buried under the lakebed.
The water would be released and, using gravity, would flow back to the bay, generating electricity during peak demand times through the process of the water flowing back into the bay. Potentially, the reservoir could be filled and emptied every day using water from Lake Huron.
The proposal is currently working its way through a number of federal and provincial approvals processes that will take multiple years to complete.
The pumped storage proposal has been controversial with the public and has generated significant opposition and environmental concerns.
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