by Joe Schultz
When the Leighton Township Planning Commissioners discussed a potential zoning ordinance Wednesday for energy storage facilities, they also received an impromptu presentation from one such company.
Spearmint Energy plans to build and operate such a facility in northeast Leighton Township.
Mary Matze, a representative of Spearmint, explained that they do not make the batteries, but use lithium iron phosphate batteries to store electricity during low demand times, and release it during high demand times. The goal is to stabilize the electrical grid to reduce brownouts.
Matze explained that the batteries would look like storage containers on the site. They would be cooled with antifreeze going through a cooling type of heat pump, making it a closed system.
When asked about how a fire would be handled, she explained that the fire department would let the container on fire burn itself out. The firefighters would instead do a misting operation, to keep the other batteries cool, so they don’t ignite.
Spearmint would do annual training for the fire departments and emergency responders.
“We are interested in building a safe project.” said Matze.
Planner Andrew Moore of PCI explained to the commission that an ordinance would allow a company like Spearmint to get permission from the township to operate the energy storage facility. However, with or without the ordinance, a company can go to the state and get permission, even over the objections of the township.
The Spearmint representatives said they would rather work with the township so they would have the good will of the community.
The commission agreed to continue to work on the new ordinance.
Also considered at the meeting was the short term rental ordinance. Most of the discussion centered around the Green Lake area They are considering limiting the number of short term rentals, but were unsure what that number should be.
The commission wanted to reach out to the Green Lake Association for input on the proposed ordinance.
