The California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 27 unveiled action to enhance the safety of battery energy storage facilities and their related emergency response plans.
The PUC issued a proposal that, if approved, would, among other things:
- Implement Senate Bill (SB) 1383 to establish new standards for the maintenance and operation of battery energy storage facilities, and
- Increase oversight over emergency response action plans for battery energy storage facilities.
“If approved, the proposal will enhance the safety of battery energy storage facilities, which play a crucial role in California’s transition away from fossil fuels,” it said.
Concurrently, CPUC staff is investigating the recent fire at a Vistra battery energy storage facility in the state.
The proposal modifies General Order 167, which currently provides a method to implement and enforce maintenance and operation standards for electric generating facilities.
The proposal adds new safety standards specifically for the maintenance and operation of battery energy storage systems, as required by SB 1383.
The proposal also makes explicit that the CPUC requires battery storage facility owners to develop emergency response and emergency action plans, as required by SB 38.
In addition, the proposal makes other technical updates to the standards to improve safety, reliability, and effectiveness of operation and maintenance activities, such as establishing technical logbook standards for battery storage systems, and expanding requirements for emergency plans that relate to all electric generating facilities.
The proposal will be on the CPUC’s March 13, 2025 Voting Meeting agenda.
CPUC Staff Investigation of Vistra Battery Energy Storage Facility
Meanwhile, the CPUC has initiated its investigation of Vistra’s battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing as a result of a fire at the facility on January 16.
The CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division promptly began its investigation, requesting information and updates and maintaining communication with Vistra. On January 22, SED staff conducted an initial site visit as a part of its ongoing investigation.
California’s current installed battery storage capacity is over 20 percent of California’s peak demand. The state’s projected need for battery storage capacity is estimated at 52,000 MW by 2045.