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3 min read

Building Trust: Understand and Mitigate Opposition to BESS Projects

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Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are pivotal in transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable energy grid. If developers meet their planned timelines, U.S. battery capacity could grow by 89%, reaching over 30 gigawatts (GW) by the end of the year.

Despite this significant progress, developers often face challenges due to public concerns about fire safety, noise pollution, and environmental impact, which can slow or even halt projects. To combat potential objections, developers must become acquainted with community concerns before the shovel hits the ground. 

BESS developers can increase the odds of successful projects by adopting best practices for handling opposition and building trust with local communities.

Why community sentiment matters in BESS projects

Community opinion is key in whether renewable energy projects, including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), succeed or fail. While BESS projects bring benefits, like storing energy from renewable sources and helping to balance the power grid, they can still receive pushback from the public. 

Concerns stem from safety issues, such as the risk of fires or the release of harmful chemicals, especially in neighborhoods. Local communities might also object to BESS projects because of the facility's appearance, land use, or distrust of new technology. Even in areas that support renewable energy, people may oppose projects if they feel they could negatively affect their daily lives.

Many local communities are unaware of critical factors like innovative safety measures for BESS projects, the importance of BESS for supporting renewable energy, how it helps stabilize the grid, or even how a project could benefit their local economy. 

Communities are more cautious than ever, and rightfully so. However, if developers can understand and address local worries from the start, they're more likely to avoid problems that could slow down the project, raise costs, or even lead to cancellation. 

Addressing safety concerns: The impact of fire events on public perception

Public concerns about BESS projects have increased following recent fire incidents at storage facilities. Fears over fire safety have led to some projects being canceled, particularly in residential areas. For example, New Leaf Energy scrapped its plans for a 120MW BESS project in Staten Island last year after concerns were raised about fire risks and exposure to hazardous chemicals near homes and schools.

Although the project aimed to help a utility company manage peak demand, local opposition arose due to safety concerns, with one assemblyman even calling for a ban on BESS projects in residential zones. While many residents support renewable energy, they often question where such projects are located, with fire safety being a primary concern.

How to address BESS fire safety in the community

Successful BESS projects highlight the importance of openly sharing fire safety plans with the community. Offering clear examples of fire prevention and response strategies can help reassure residents and local officials that the project is well-prepared for any risks.

In an interview, Paul Rogers, a former New York firefighter and energy storage expert, emphasized the value of involving local communities, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and emergency response teams early in the development process. But what does this look like in practice?

For example, BESS developers could collaborate with local fire departments to showcase the training provided to first responders and explain the multiple safety layers built into the facility. This would build public trust by ensuring transparency. A crucial part of working with fire services is clearly communicating the potential risks and showing how several safety measures would need to fail for a worst-case scenario to occur. As Rogers points out, using terminology familiar to the fire department is also crucial.

Another effective strategy is to host open houses or workshops where community members can ask questions directly. These events simplify the technology and create a space for people to express concerns and receive immediate, expert responses.

Modifying BESS projects based on community sentiment regarding noise

Globally, noise is another common concern, especially in residential areas near BESS facilities. In some cases, community sentiment has led to project modifications to reduce noise levels. Developers can use noise abatement technologies, such as soundproofing or adjusting the location of noisy components, to address these concerns.

In past projects, altering operational hours or adding noise barriers has been an effective way to ease local frustrations. Developers should be prepared to adapt based on community feedback to ensure long-term success.

Community sentiment can shape the outcome of BESS projects 

Developers can foster trust and build positive relationships with the public by engaging stakeholders early, addressing safety and noise concerns, and tailoring communication strategies to specific community groups. 

Experts continue to stress the importance of clear, early communication with the community to address concerns before opposition grows. In a recent webinar on community sentiment, Michelle Nicholson, Project Scientist at Solas Energy, emphasized the need to tackle opposition surrounding energy projects like BESS.

"I'd say misinformation and misunderstanding are probably some of the biggest challenges," Nicholson noted. "While yes, events do happen, the renewable energy industry is learning from past mistakes, making plans, and evolving technology all the time. It's important when we talk to stakeholders that we acknowledge these mistakes and understand the concerns, especially when incidents like fires occur. However, we must also share all the planning that has been done to prevent such events, explain why they happened in specific cases, and show how technology has improved. For example, there are advancements in fire suppression for battery energy storage projects. Recognizing concerns while providing the best supporting evidence is key to overcoming these challenges." The future of BESS projects depends on developers' ability to navigate complex community relations. 

Want to get ahead of community sentiment next BESS project? Our AI-powered community sentiment tool uses local news, project velocity, and ordinances to predict community acceptance.