Power Generation System Upgrades at Sable Island National Park Reserve

The proposed project will introduce energy efficiency measures and improve the efficiency of the main station power generation system at Sable Island Nation Park Reserve. These measures will reduce the fuel consumption of the island by 50% as compared to 2019 consumption levels. Energy efficiency measures will include: • installation of heat pumps in the Carpentry Shop, Food Stores, Water Treatment Building, and Garage (Workshop only) • installation of an overhead door between the Garage Workshop (heated) and Main Garage (unheated), • heat recovery system to capture waste heat from the generators and transport it to the Garage Workshop • automated interior lighting control installed for the Carpentry Shop, Food Stores, Water Treatment Building, and Garage (all spaces) • new exterior LED luminaire c/w integrated photocell control installed above the main pedestrian entrance door to the Garage. Modifications to the Sable Island Main Station power generation systems will include: • installation of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system • installation of a new battery energy storage system (BESS) • installation of new variable speed (CVT) generators to replace the existing fixed speed generators in the Garage • relocation of the most recently overhauled fixed speed generator from the Garage to replace the older fixed speed generator in the APU, which will be used as a backup to the above systems • relocation of the recently installed automatic transfer switch (ATS) from the Garage to replace the older ATS in the APU.

This basic impact assessment will assess the installation of the new solar photovoltaic system and the construction of the new battery energy storage system. All other activities are considered updates or maintenance activities and will be assessed using National PRIAS.

A new solar photovoltaic (PV) system array will be installed east of main station at Sable Island National Park Reserve. The project will see the construction of the two sets of solar arrays and one slab on grade foundation to place a container that will house all ground mounted mechanical and electrical equipment. Trenching of approx.1m width, 1m depth and 200m length will be required for the burial of electrical cabling and to connect the arrays with the existing Nova Scotia power grid. Two sets of PV arrays, each measuring approx. 20m x 2m for a total footprint of 80 m² (40 m² x 2) will be installed. The arrays will be mounted on an extruded aluminum racking system, over l-beams, founded on bearing and battered screw piles. The screw piles will be 114 in diameter and 4.0 m deep. Each array will be founded on 16 bearings and 8 battered screw piles. The screw piles will be installed using a T650 Bobcat skid steer. The solar panels will be placed high enough above grade (~1m) to prevent sand accumulation and to promote continued health of the existing vegetation below. Electric fencing will be installed around the PV arrays. A slab on grade foundation of approx. 10m x 8m (80 m²) will be constructed approx.10 m west of the proposed PV array. The slab will consist of a 200 mm thick concrete pad on grade with 300 mm deep Type 1 compacted granular base. A temporary travel route will be used to access the project location.

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Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Latest update

October 20, 2023 – The public comment period on the project is closed. Parks Canada is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada - Public comments invited from September 20 to October 20, 2023 - September 20, 2023

Contacts

Sable Island National Park Reserve
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S9
Telephone: 902-426-1500
Email: sable@pc.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Alternative Energy

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2023-09-20

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    85932

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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