DATE:
July 17, 2024
08
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT:
Title
ESTABLISHING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR SITING BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM PROJECTS IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County's vision for decarbonization through a transition away from traditional sources of energy, such as contemplated in the "Regional Decarbonization Framework" (RDF) gives considerable attention toward solar and wind generation capabilities interlinked by the grid. Due to the intermittent nature of these sources of energy, an inherent component of this vision - then - is the need for battery storage of the renewable electricity generated during off-peak hours to power homes and businesses throughout the night and to prevent black and brownouts. As this transition continues to unfold, demand for battery storage projects (typically referred to as "battery energy storage systems" (BESS) will only increase.
Currently, the County does not have specific definitions nor development standards in place to guide the review process for new BESS projects. Because of this, the County's department of Planning & Development Services (PDS) processes these types of projects consistent with the nearest comparable land use categories in the Zoning Ordinance, such as minor and major impact utilities. Land uses considered minor impact utilities include cellular antenna facilities, electrical substations, and small water tanks. Examples of major impact utilities include large wind turbines, water treatment facilities, and steam, fossil, or nuclear power plants. It is not unreasonable to accept that BESS projects are comparable in scope and scale to some of these land uses. However, certain aspects of BESS projects are especially unique and often utilize cutting-edge technology that must be specifically accounted for, such as the operating characteristics and safety requirements for lithium-ion battery storage.
Beyond the uniqueness of BESS facilities, these p...
Click here for full text