Question 1

What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?

Accepted Answer

Just like the batteries you find in your cell phone or laptop, a battery energy storage system (BESS) can deliver energy to power our lives. A BESS is a group of batteries assembled together that are capable of storing energy in order to supply electricity at a future time. BESS facilities can charge directly from the electric grid or other generating sources, store the energy, and then deploy it when it’s needed most.

Question 2

Why is battery energy storage needed?

Accepted Answer

With the growing demand for electricity, BESS are key to maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of energy to homes and businesses. BESS not only stabilize the electrical grid by storing excess energy so it can be deployed when it’s needed most (during times of high electric demand), they can also discharge nearly instantaneously unlike other energy generation technologies.

Question 3

What are the benefits of BESS?

Accepted Answer

BESS provide a critical service to the aging electrical grid. These facilities improve reliability, resiliency, and energy efficiency. They reduce the risk of blackouts and brownouts and stabilize energy prices.

Question 4

What does a BESS facility look like?

Accepted Answer

The most common BESS equipment looks like shipping containers, called battery enclosures, which house racks of battery modules, controls, and safety systems. These purpose-built containers have advanced features that safely house, monitor, and maintain the batteries as they store and transmit energy to the electric grid.

Question 5

How large is a BESS facility?

Accepted Answer

BESS facilities can create many benefits with a relatively small footprint. Typically, a 150-200 MW BESS facility has a footprint of about 10 - 20 acres. A project of this size has the capacity to deliver enough power for roughly 150,000 homes. (Source: US Energy Information Association)

Question 6

Why are you building the project in our community?

Accepted Answer

BESS project locations are carefully selected through an iterative process that considers many factors. Most importantly, we look for project locations in close proximity to existing infrastructure where it will most benefit the transmission system and best serve consumers. Through the development process, extensive studies are also performed to help ensure our projects minimize any potential impacts to the surrounding area.

Question 7

How often are crews managing and monitoring the BESS?

Accepted Answer

BESS facilities are remotely monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The BESS are monitored by the operations center and the battery supplier’s control center. Additionally, regularly scheduled on-site maintenance and inspections are performed by qualified technicians.

Question 8

What is the lifespan of a BESS?

Accepted Answer

The lifespan of a typical BESS is approximately 20-30 years.

Question 9

What happens at the end of a project’s life?

Accepted Answer

When a BESS reaches the end of its lifespan, it is decommissioned. That means all project infrastructure is removed, sold, recycled or otherwise disposed of, and the land is restored to its pre-construction condition. As an owner and operator, Spearmint Energy is responsible for the cost and completion of decommissioning.

Question 10

Can battery storage systems be recycled?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spearmint is committed to helping advance the circular economy in which recyclable materials are reused and recycled. Battery recycling is already a growing business in the United States.

Question 11

Are battery energy storage systems safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carefully select our suppliers to help guarantee that the BESS equipment we utilize adheres to stringent codes and standards for safe manufacturing, construction, installation, and operation. Our BESS facilities comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 855, the strongest safety code for energy storage systems in the world. 24/7 monitoring can also help prevent emergencies by shutting off any portion of the system that isn’t operating properly before a problem occurs.

Question 12

Will the batteries create a risk for soil, groundwater, or waterways?

Accepted Answer

No. The lithium iron phosphate cells are sealed in modules that are enclosed in racks that are sealed inside of purpose-built enclosures. With all these layers of containment, the risk of anything getting outside of an enclosure is incredibly low. The 24/7 monitoring of the facility also helps ensure any potential equipment issue is addressed before it becomes a significant problem.

Question 13

Do BESS operations impact the people living nearby?

Accepted Answer

BESS facilities are carefully selected to help ensure the safety of the surrounding community. BESS facilities will not typically create significant traffic or visual impacts during operations and are designed to meet all applicable sound, visual, and other local requirements.

Question 14

What if a fire occurs at a battery energy storage facility?

Accepted Answer

Our projects are designed for safety and built with multiple levels of protections to prevent fires. In addition, every project has an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) which specifically addresses what to do in the unlikely event of a fire or other emergency. Our emergency response plans, which are developed in collaboration with local emergency response officials, put the health and safety of the public, first responders, and staff first.

Question 15

Will local fire departments and EMS be able to handle a battery facility?

Accepted Answer

As part of a project’s Emergency Response Plan, we provide regular training to local first responders, both before and throughout project operations. In the unlikely event of a fire, local fire departments and other first responders would only be asked to work with our team to monitor the situation and would not be expected to intervene. No special firefighting equipment is required.

Battery Energy Storage Questions & Answers