Sumner study session reviews expanding battery energy storage systems, safety and zoning questions

Sumner officials and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) representatives used a Jan. 13 study session to outline how battery energy storage systems — from residential “power walls” to midsize commercial arrays and utility-scale projects — may appear in the city and what safety and land-use steps the city will take next.

The presentation, led by Ryan Windisch, Sumner’s community and economic development director, and Christine Nahn of PSE, described the utility’s plan to add storage to integrate more renewable generation and meet Washington state clean-energy requirements. “Battery energy storage systems are an important part of PSE’s plan to provide reliable power our customers expect, while delivering more of the clean energy required by Washington’s clean energy requirements,” Nahn said.

Why it matters: PSE and others are planning a mix of utility-scale, midscale commercial and residential storage to help replace retiring generation and support a higher share of renewables. City staff said existing code already addresses large grid-scale systems (Ordinance 2899); the council must now consider whether and how to permit midscale systems in commercial and industrial zones and how to treat residential batteries.

Key p…