Eight Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Site Requirements You Might Be Forgetting

In part one of our three-part series, our experts cover the site layout elements and requirements that can impact a BESS project.

The ability to store the electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines is the key to getting energy to users when they need it—during outages, when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not turning the turbine’s blades. Storage helps balance electricity generation and demand—creating a more flexible and reliable grid.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are one way to store energy so system operators can use their energy to soft transition from renewable power to grid power for uninterrupted supply. Ultimately, battery storage can save money, improve continuity and resilience, integrate generation sources, and reduce environmental impacts.  

The energy storage market in the United States could grow to as much as $426 billion by 2030. Several states have declared goals, targets, and mandates for energy storage. As engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies and developers race to keep up with the demand of system owners who want BESS, understanding common site layout considerations and requirements can save you from missteps that can add costs and set your project back several months or more. Site constraints, requirements to obtain entitlements and construction permits, requirements of the offtaker, and operation and maintenance safety and efficiencies will vary by jurisdiction, the most common site plan elements that could surprise you when it comes to cost, layout, and scheduling include:

1. Fire Code Requirements

Smaller commercial developments in or near cities may have stricter requirements from building and fire departments than utility-scale projects in isolated areas. Providing adequate access and understanding minimum turning radius and width for access roads will impact your site layout. Sites may also require an internal fire suppression system since it may not be economical to run a water line.

2. Security Fencing

BESS and related equipment typically require a 6’ chain link with 1’ barbed wire to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Erosion Control

Requirements range from temporary perimeter controls to costly temporary sediment control basins.

4. Permanent Stormwater Measures

Requirements range from no requirements to water quantity and/or water quality requirements for which a permanent stormwater feature such as detention ponds or ditches must be designed, installed, and maintained over the life of the facility. Equipment must be raised a minimum of 1-foot above 100-year water surface elevation (site specific hydrology study required).

5. Integration with the Electrical Infrastructure

Distribution or transmission system level interconnects may require extra real estate for utility infrastructure.

6. BESS Augmentation

As batteries age, their capacity to hold a charge diminishes. A BESS augmentation strategy that maintains the performance of a system may include rotating batteries in and out of the system, adding more capacity, or both and needs to be considered within the buildable area of the site.

7. DOT right-of-way

If your site is adjacent to DOT right-of-way, your driveway may be subject to additional requirements such as an asphalt or concrete driveway or culvert/ditch improvements in the right-of-way.

8. Foundations and Structural

The foundations at battery storage facilities can vary drastically from site to site based on the soil conditions; battery size, weight, and quantity; and the local availability of technologies and materials and can have a significant impact on cost and schedule.  A variety of foundation options should be preliminarily designed and reviewed, such as driven piles, helical piles, concrete grade beams, slabs, and drilled piers.

The sample site layout below will give you an idea of how these site plan considerations may impact a BESS project.