Dryden Development News

Guidance Provided on Battery Energy Storage Systems and Zoning Regulations

The presentation provided guidance on battery energy storage systems (BESS), focusing on technology, planning, zoning considerations, and fire safety. It highlighted the growing demand for energy storage due to data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and electric vehicles, and how BESS addresses grid challenges like resource adequacy, reliability, and affordability. The presentation detailed the components of a BESS, emphasizing the role of the Battery Management System (BMS) in safety. It also explained the interplay between local zoning and the state fire code, recommending a tiered approach to regulation for different system sizes (Tier 1: <= 600 kWh, Tier 2: > 600 kWh). Updates to the 2025 New York State Fire Code were discussed, making peer review mandatory and requiring comprehensive plans for commissioning, decommissioning, fire safety, and hazard mitigation, with costs borne by developers. The importance of proactive planning by municipalities was stressed, with resources like NAERTA's model law available. The presentation noted a decrease in the failure rate per unit of deployed capacity despite increased deployments, attributing this to technological improvements and better fire department response strategies. A discussion followed regarding the need for clear minutes and accurate record-keeping for ZAG meetings, particularly concerning conservation subdivisions, minor subdivisions, and flag lots. Concerns were raised about the conservation subdivision law potentially leading to exclusionary, big-lot zoning and the process of how changes are incorporated into draft minutes.