Battery Energy Storage Systems Project

Board Direction:

On July 17, 2024, the Board of Supervisors instructed staff to create rules for privately initiated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in unincorporated areas. They also asked staff to work with current BESS project applicants to ensure safety.

On September 11, 2024, staff returned with options on how to enhance safety, while more detailed guidelines are being developed.

The Board did not move forward with a Moratorium; however, they directed staff to continue working on enhancing safety as development standards are being drafted.

The Minute Order is available under the related documents section for more information. See action 5.3.

Phase 2 – Development Standards:

Stay tuned for Phase 2 of this project which will include development standards for Battery Energy Storage System projects.

What are Battery Energy Storage Systems?

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a technology designed to store and manage energy for later use. It typically uses rechargeable batteries to store energy from various sources, such as the electrical grid, renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, or other power generation methods. Some benefits of a BESS include:

Grid Stabilization: Helping to balance supply and demand, especially with intermittent renewable energy sources.
Peak Shaving: Reducing energy costs by storing energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand times.
Backup Power: Providing backup power during outages.
Frequency Regulation: Maintaining the stability of the electrical grid by responding quickly to changes in demand.

BESS plays a role in modernizing the energy infrastructure, enabling greater integration of renewable energy, and enhancing the resilience and efficiency of power systems.

Previous Stakeholder Engagement

8/14 Webinar on Battery Energy Storage Systems: