Siting Battery Energy Storage Systems

Resources for Local Governments

Communities across the United States face rising electricity demand and prolonged outages from extreme weather. Electric utilities are under increasing pressure to plan for a grid that remains reliable, affordable, and resilient. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer a variety of benefits to make the electric grid more resilient, mitigate peak electricity demand, and enable increased use of affordable solar and wind energy production. But BESS are a new type of land use for most communities, and concerns about safety, emergency response, environmental impacts, and land use conflicts are common.

When properly located, designed, and operated, BESS can safely and reliably store electricity when supply is available or at a lower cost. When demand is high or power is more costly, they can discharge power to the grid.

BESS also support grid reliability, integrate renewable energy generation, and provide backup power or other grid services for communities.

Understanding planning and land use questions has become a priority for communities as BESS deployment increases. GPI can support communities in ensuring informed decision-making. We have developed this resource page to identify best practices and provide access to information resources from expert organizations and research institutions.

The resources can help communities navigate BESS siting and permitting in several ways:

Increase understanding of the varied roles and use cases of BESS
Review ordinance and permitting considerations
Identify questions to ask developers and technical experts
Decide how battery storage fits within their local priorities

GPI Resources

GPI developed and assessed these resources based on best practices from across the country, grounded in current standards and land use planning considerations.

While some communities may be unfamiliar with planning for BESS, electricity storage is already familiar in everyday life, from phones and laptops to household batteries. BESS are a form of land use communities already have experience with—on-site storage of energy for later use—in regulating gas stations, propane or ammonia storage, grain elevators, and other liquid, gaseous, or solid fuels. Like these uses, BESS allow on-site energy storage, but BESS stores energy from a power generation source or the grid.

Communities, especially those near transmission grids and development corridors, should prepare for a more active BESS permitting pipeline. BESS are likely to be proposed near or with substations, renewable energy projects, industrial areas, brownfields, agricultural land, or virtually any other location with access to the electric grid.

BESS Ordinance Guidance for Midwestern Communities

This guidance was developed to support communities as they plan for siting battery energy storage systems in their jurisdictions. It draws on research and technical guidance from national labs, state agencies, universities that have studied its land use implications, and trusted organizations that have supported communities in energy planning and siting. This document is intended to provide a framework as well as examples that communities can adapt to their own needs, priorities, and local contexts. Example ordinance language and approaches are drawn from both the Midwest and other jurisdictions that have been early leaders in developing standards for siting BESS. These examples are intended to help communities consider how they can develop standard in ways that reflect local priorities, address potential impacts, and establish appropriate requirements.

View the BESS model ordinance

BESS Planning Resource Inventory

GPI has made this one-stop, living hub by reviewing national and regional guidance, model ordinances, and best practices for BESS siting, permitting, safety, and community engagement. The materials included here were selected for their relevance, credibility, and usefulness to communities across the country. This collection is designed to help communities make informed decisions as they plan for BESS in their jurisdictions. As tools and best practices emerge, GPI will continue to update this collection, so communities have access to timely and trusted information in one place.