[Saint John, NB] Lorneville | Spruce Lake Industrial Park Expansion | +1500 acres

[paperplane]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Yes, I know the “backup generators” aren’t actually “backup” hence the quotes and mentioning they’ll be running continuously.

I think they should be getting way more pushback on this piece of the proposal, since “backup” generators that they plan to run continuously aren’t really backups at all.

Large scale solar, wind, and battery storage solutions throughout the industrial park could at least help limit the use of the “backup” generators to the point where they could actually be justifiably referred to as backup systems.

Hopefully there’s some plans to majorly invest in renewable energy and battery storage solutions throughout this expanded industrial park.

I don't even know where the notion of "backup" came from, as it's never been backup. They need more energy than NBP can provide, so they're self-supplying 190MW of the required 400MW for the hyperscale AI Data Centre.

It's just not that great a project or overall benefit to SJ, and sited in an area that's certainly not ideal either, but this is what NB/SJ is willing to accept for business.

I'm really curious what the second project will be.

[bingun]

This week, the EIA was updated to include the TRC (Technical Review Committee) Comments and Proponent Response Report. In other words, the government's questions for Voltagrid/Beacon and their answers. It is not a light read by any stretch (if you are interested in birds, there are pages and pages of questions about them), but there are a few interesting responses in there. Also, plenty of 'we will get back to you on that' responses.

https://www.gnb.ca/content/dam/GNB3/t/en...s-enregistrements/1657-/1663-round-1.pdf

TRC COMMENT:
Has the proponent considered the following alternatives to 50 x 4.5 MWe natural gas fired combustion turbines?
1. One or more, more appropriately sized natural gas combined cycle turbine generating units?
2. Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System?
3. Contracting with a renewable developer connected elsewhere on the electricity transmission system, with Battery Energy Storage System's located on premises?
For each of the three alternatives, please explain why they were not considered, or if they were please elaborate as to why they were not selected as the proposed option.

PROPONENT RESPONSE:
The proponent has considered the identified alternatives. A hyperscale datacenter has very specific reliability requirements (99.9% reliability), 100% IT instantaneous load (on and off on a 200 MW scale), and variable loads in millisecond increments. Combined cycle turbines can only increase at a rate of 1% per minute (making them unsuitable for 100% IT instantaneous load) and variable power loads also mean worse fuel usage and emissions as well as turndown problems on the combined cycle component (meaning that the plant would not be able to operate in combined cycle mode when load is down). Solar and Batteries cannot feasibly deliver consistent 200 MW (note the Project is 190 MW however the 200MW scenario is described here for ease of calculation) load at 99.9% reliability without the use of substantial amount of land. For a 200 MW project, with firm reliability at 99.9% in Saint John, a credible engineering estimate is roughly:

Component
Solar PV (DC)
Battery storage
Land for solar

Approximate size
5,000-8,000 MW
15,000-30,000 MWh (3-6 days of full load)
20,000-32,000 acres (~80-130 km²)

The variable nature of the load (i.e. 200 MWs on and off), would be very problematic for any transmission / utility scale grid. For those specific reasons, the selected technical solution is best in class and can meet the specific end use case.

TRC COMMENT:
While the cooling system will be closed loop, there will be a need to replace water in that system. How and where will the water be disposed of? Are there any quality concerns with the wastewater due to being used in the cooling process upon disposal?

PROPONENT RESPONSE:
The cooling system is a closed-loop chilled water system. Water loss from the loop is minimal, in the range of 0.1% to 0.5% of total system volume per year, replenished via a small makeup water connection. The loop water contains glycol and chemical additives including corrosion inhibitors and biocides. Under normal operation there is no discharge from this system. In the event of maintenance drain-downs or system flushes, the water will be collected and disposed of by a licensed contractor in accordance with applicable New Brunswick environmental regulations.

TRC COMMENT:
Municipal tax and assessment impacts
- What is the projected assessed value of the completed project?
- What is the expected annual municipal property tax revenue?
- Are there any expected assessment exemptions, incentives, or appeals?

PROPONENT RESPONSE:
The assessment will be completed by the Province, and as such, the Proponent is not able to provide this information. The Proponent is not aware of any exemptions, incentives, or appeals currently under consideration regarding municipal tax and assessment.

[bingun]

In related news, I recently came across a data centre proposal near Eastport, Maine, just down the coast from New Brunswick. Apparently they want to build an underwater data centre and tidal power? Ambitious to say the least.

https://www.islandinstitute.org/working-waterfront/underwater-ai-data-center-proposed-off-eastport/



On the industrial park website, there is an interactive map showing individual parcels and their suggested 'optimal' uses. It says this was published in September, but I don't recall noticing this before. This gives insight into what locations they are hoping to utilize in the newly rezoned area and for what purpose.

The large red section in the centre is 'optimal' for data centres and is where the current data centre proposal is aimed. The brighter red section to the south west of that is also 'optimal' for data centres, implying they'd like more.

The blue coastal section to the far south and the bluish section west of King William Road is 'optimal' for hydrogen production.

The green sections are 'optimal' for green manufacturing.

The northern yellow/orange sections are 'optimal' for battery supply chain facilities.

Purple sections will presumably remain undeveloped.

https://www.sjip.ca/spruce-lake

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bingun

In related news, I recently came across a data centre proposal near Eastport, Maine, just down the coast from New Brunswick. Apparently they want to build an underwater data centre and tidal power? Ambitious to say the least.

https://www.islandinstitute.org/working-waterfront/underwater-ai-data-center-proposed-off-eastport/



On the industrial park website, there is an interactive map showing individual parcels and their suggested 'optimal' uses. It says this was published in September, but I don't recall noticing this before. This gives insight into what locations they are hoping to utilize in the newly rezoned area and for what purpose.

The large red section in the centre is 'optimal' for data centres and is where the current data centre proposal is aimed. The brighter red section to the south west of that is also 'optimal' for data centres, implying they'd like more.

The blue coastal section to the far south and the bluish section west of King William Road is 'optimal' for hydrogen production.

The green sections are 'optimal' for green manufacturing.

The northern yellow/orange sections are 'optimal' for battery supply chain facilities.

Purple sections will presumably remain undeveloped.

https://www.sjip.ca/spruce-lake

Where does port expansion play into this map? I guess the bulk of that expansion could take place outside the borders of this parcel, but it should still be noted in the legend, imo. This is literally one of the deepest offshore locations on the entire eastern seaboard of North America, this is where the Port should be focusing its most forward thinking and ambitious expansion goals.

There’s still ample room and need for inner harbour expansion and port development, but this location at Lorneville could unlock the potential for the biggest cargo ships in the world to call upon the Port of Saint John. Holt should stop bringing up the Port of Belledune every 5 minutes and change the conversation on the data centre proposal for Lorneville, to a discussion on the biggest port expansion in the province’s history… a multi billion dollar port expansion at Lorneville would be an overwhelmingly popular idea and align with the PM’s ambitious vision to expand our ports and overseas trade infrastructure.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Where does port expansion play into this map? I guess the bulk of that expansion could take place outside the borders of this parcel, but it should still be noted in the legend, imo. This is literally one of the deepest offshore locations on the entire eastern seaboard of North America, this is where the Port should be focusing its most forward thinking and ambitious expansion goals.

There’s still ample room and need for inner harbour expansion and port development, but this location at Lorneville could unlock the potential for the biggest cargo ships in the world to call upon the Port of Saint John. Holt should stop bringing up the Port of Belledune every 5 minutes and change the conversation on the data centre proposal for Lorneville, to a discussion on the biggest port expansion in the province’s history… a multi billion dollar port expansion at Lorneville would be an overwhelmingly popular idea and align with the PM’s ambitious vision to expand our ports and overseas trade infrastructure.

I think this would imply they aren't pursuing that currently. The port's focus is definitely on that Simm's corner/rail upgrades for now; an expansion like Lorneville would be decades away.

[paperplane]

Originally Posted by bingun

I think this would imply they aren't pursuing that currently. The port's focus is definitely on that Simm's corner/rail upgrades for now; an expansion like Lorneville would be decades away.

I wonder if the City would really let the Port have first right of refusal of that land near the windmill at Coleson Cove for decades?