Battery back-ups and battery-powered generators for community facility resilience
Guidance, costing and examples for municipalities
CLIMATE ADAPTATION
Battery back-ups provide a secondary source of power that keeps essential community services running when the primary source of power is out. Increasingly frequent storms, extreme weather, climate-related outages and peak demand challenges mean rural and remote communities face longer restoration times and greater risks of service disruption.
Back-up systems, whether portable or integrated, help protect critical functions. They allow public facilities to serve asresilience hubs and safe shelters during emergencies.
This guidance outlines key steps, best practices, costing information and case studies to help municipalities plan and deliver battery-powered generator and battery back-up projects.
Key steps for successful implementation
- Obtain permits and ensure compliance: Secure electrical permits, use CSA-certified equipment1 and hire a licensed electrician and gas fitter if required
- Determine critical loads: Conduct an energy audit to identify appliances and systems that must be powered (e.g., refrigeration, heat pumps, communications)
- Choose the right system: Consider size, fuel source, solar-ready options or smart panels for load prioritization; ensure proper ventilation
- Develop risk and safety protocols: Prepare emergency response procedures for fire, overheating, fuel leaks or electrical hazards
- Plan for testing and maintenance: Schedule regular inspections, software updates and battery performance checks
Best practices for design and delivery
- Engage the community early: Survey residents on concerns such as noise, safety and aesthetics; use their feedback to guide placement and design while communicating benefits and setting clear expectations
- Plan for inclusivity: Select public buildings (e.g., libraries, clinics, community centres) with open access, extended hours and physical accessibility; prioritize locations in equity-deserving neighbourhoods to ensure benefits reach those most impacted during service disruptions
- Train facility staff and neighbours: Provide clear training on system operation and maintenance, extending the invitation to operators in nearby municipalities and Indigenous communities to build regional capacity
Equity and community considerations
- Prioritize multi-purpose community hubs: Select facilities that already serve as trusted gathering spaces and that can function as clean air/warm air/cool air refuges during emergencies; sites with existing social programming (e.g., libraries, community centres) are more likely to attract diverse residents
- Ensure equitable access: Set clear public access hours, barrier-free entry, transportation options; consider social barriers too, including groups who may face discrimination or feel unsafe in public spaces
- Build Indigenous partnerships: Use installations as training opportunities for Indigenous and neighbouring communities to build workforce development and advance reconciliation
Costing and budgeting information
Battery back-up system installation can cost $1,200–$8,000 per kW for battery systems, depending on system size, energy demand and integration complexity.
Typical cost drivers include the following: permits and inspections for electrical compliance; system design and integration with existing infrastructure; mobilization for remote or hard-to-access sites; disposal and recycling of old batteries or generator components; and ongoing maintenance.
To help reduce overall costs:
- Fit the system to cover only critical loads (e.g., refrigeration, lighting, communications)
- Coordinate bulk purchases across departments or neighbouring communities to reduce unit costs.
- Schedule installations during off-peak seasons to access lower vendor rates and avoid delays
- Plan end-of-life disposal and recycling to minimize disposal costs
Case studies and lessons learned
- Multi-serving battery back-up and EV charging at community recreation hub (Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, ON, 2023)
In 2023, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve installed a battery back-up system at its community recreational complex, enhancing local energy resilience. The system stores electricity to provide reliable power during outages. It supports peak demand and integrates with renewable energy sources. Installed alongside two level-2 and two fast EV charging stations, the facility now serves as a multi-functional hub that supports recreation, transportation and emergency response.
Lesson learned: Even a single public facility can double as an emergency refuge and energy resource during outages, especially when paired with complementary infrastructure.
- Hybrid back-up power system for a multi-unit residential building (Vancouver, BC, 2019)
This study modelled five back-up power system options for an 80-kW load over a 72-hour outage at a small residential co-op. Options included combinations of diesel, propane, solar PV and lithium-ion batteries. The propane + lithium-ion + solar PV system was found to offer the best balance of resilience, environmental impact and cost-effectiveness, with a net present value within five percent of a baseline diesel generator.
Lesson learned: Small facilities can achieve meaningful resilience and emissions reductions by combining modest battery storage with solar and propane systems, especially when energy pricing structures support peak load management.
*Note: The case studies included on this page are for informational purposes and were not supported by the Green Municipal Fund.
Additional resources
Back-up power guidelines (City of Toronto) – This document provides practical guidance for integrating back-up power systems into buildings, with adaptable recommendations for public facilities like community centres and shelters. Communities can use it to assess power needs, identify suitable technologies and plan for emergency preparedness.
Canada’s home electrification toolkit (Building Decarbonization Alliance) – This national resource offers guidance on selecting and installing home battery systems and back-up generators. It includes cost comparisons and technology options suitable for residential and small community use.
Municipal energy procurement toolkit (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) – This toolkit helps municipalities navigate procurement for energy projects, including battery storage, with guidance on site planning, public engagement and emergency management. It covers land-use planning, siting and agricultural protection in a concise format that helps staff quickly assess project fit and community impact using practical criteria.
Explore more community facilities resilience activities
Learn about other community facilities resilience project types and how they can support your community:
Return to the Resilient Community Facilities Toolkit for Municipalities
Related toolkits
GMF offers additional toolkits to support municipalities facing different climate risks.
Glossary
Battery back-up: A system that stores electricity to power essential services during outages
Critical loads: Appliances or systems (e.g., HVAC, refrigeration) that must remain powered during emergencies
CSA-certified equipment: Electrical products approved by the Canadian Standards Association for safety and compliance
Smart panels: Electrical panels that prioritize and manage power distribution during limited supply situations
Energy audit: An assessment to determine energy usage and identify essential systems to back up
Resilience hub: A public facility equipped to provide shelter and services during emergencies
Distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS): Software platforms that optimize and control decentralized energy systems like batteries and solar
Solar-ready systems: Back-up systems designed to integrate with solar panels for renewable energy use
End-of-life disposal: The safe and environmentally responsible removal and recycling of used battery systems
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