Battery energy storage systems produce no air or water pollution — and by helping us phase out peaker plants, they meaningfully reduce the risk of emissions-related health issues. They also make our communities safer by promoting grid reliability, keeping power flowing to hospitals and emergency shelters during storms, and powering electric medical devices for those dependent on them. As rates of extreme weather rise in the Pacific Northwest, battery storage is poised to become critical emergency infrastructure.

Battery energy storage systems are designed to release stored energy during severe storms or grid disruptions — stepping in within a split-second to keep the lights on for our homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. They’re already making a measurable difference in grid reliability throughout the U.S. In Texas, for example, grid operators reported [1] that growth in battery energy storage reduced the risk of rolling blackouts during extreme summer heat from 12–16% to under 1% in a single year.

Battery energy storage systems stabilize and often lower electricity bills by smoothing out supply and demand, protecting households from scarcity-based price spikes. Wind and solar are some of the cheapest forms of new energy we can build today, and energy storage systems extend their benefits by capturing energy when it’s abundant and making sure it doesn’t go to waste. As Washington communities face increasing energy rates, deploying battery energy storage systems as a cost-saving solution will become all the more critical.

When energy supply is short, demand has historically been met by fossil-fueled “peaker” plants. These plants typically run only on the hottest and coldest days of the year when we run the risk of power outages, but they produce even more harmful pollution than normal fossil fuel plants and are often sited in disadvantaged communities. In Washington, many peaker plants are located near densely populated areas already burdened by air pollution, where their operation can worsen asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses. Battery energy storage systems have many of the same capabilities as peaker plants, but with no toxic emissions and at a far lower cost. For these reasons, grid experts underscore that battery energy storage systems will be essential when it comes to phasing out this harmful technology.

They are a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to fully transitioning off of fossil fuels. The output of wind and solar projects varies based on local weather conditions. Sometimes energy is produced in excess on especially sunny or windy days, and sometimes it's produced in lower amounts. Without a tool to store energy, excess power goes to waste, and power outages can occur when supply is scarce. Battery energy storage is therefore crucial to harness renewable energy, making renewable energy projects more efficient and dependable.

The most optimal and least costly battery energy storage systems sites are located close to both energy users and existing grid infrastructure, including substations, transmission lines, and clean energy generation facilities. Siting decisions also consider factors such as land availability, environmental impacts, local regulations, and community input to ensure projects are developed responsibly.

Workable ordinances put the power in local hands: they incentivise developers to seek permits at the city and county level, and review projects under local standards. **Here’s how ordinances work:** 1. Local ordinances give residents and elected officials autonomy over how these projects are sited and permitted. 2. A city or county ordinance sets the local rules of the road for the siting of energy storage projects. 3. A developer must then apply for a permit to develop a battery energy storage system. Developers seeking a must work through the local process, demonstrate the environmental and community impacts of each proposed project and show how they meet the local standards. Without a workable ordinance in place, in Washington, large-scale battery storage projects can pursue a permit through the state's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) instead of by a city or county. This process could lessen how much input local communities can have, which is why advocating for workable ordinances is so important.

If you’ve heard about battery energy storage fires in the past, many involved older technologies or battery chemistries that differ significantly from systems being deployed today. In fact, as battery energy storage systems deployment skyrockets and technology advances, fire incidences have plummeted by 97% since 2018. [2] Washington State requires that all battery energy storage systems installations adhere to the strictest federal fire safety standards through its adoption of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes. In accordance with the NFPA, these facilities are designed to prevent overheating and to keep any fire completely contained onsite should one occur, protecting nearby people and properties. As an added precaution, the NFPA requires that developers coordinate with local fire departments and first responders to design thorough, site-specific emergency plans so everyone is prepared in the rare event of an incident.

Today’s battery energy storage systems are designed to be clean, quiet, and unobtrusive. Any operational noise is generally minimal — roughly comparable to a vacuum cleaner at close range [3] — and is further reduced by thoughtful siting and standard engineering controls. They are also subject to the same local noise regulations as any other development, which helps ensure nearby homes are protected from audible disturbance.

Battery energy storage systems typically generate millions of dollars per year in tax revenue — providing steady, reliable funding for local schools, roads, and community services at no expense to the individual taxpayer. Contrary to some opposition claims, they also do not meaningfully impact surrounding property values in the communities where they’re built. [4] They also support job creation across the supply chain, from manufacturing to installation and long-term operations. Domestic battery energy storage manufacturing is booming across the U.S., with the Puyallup Tribe being a notable contributor. [5] Upon installation, they create skilled construction and maintenance jobs in a rapidly growing industry — which is why regional labor groups have formally embraced the technology. [6]