San Jose planning panel approves 100‑MW battery storage project at San Ignacio Avenue

The San Jose Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional‑use permit for a proposed 100‑megawatt battery energy storage facility at 6050 San Ignacio Avenue, the commission announced after a roll‑call vote that passed 10–0 with one absence.

Staff planner Cora MC Naughton described the proposal as a roughly 5.5‑acre site that would house battery modules, inverters and a collector substation, with extended construction hours (Saturdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). "Se ha determinado que el proyecto esté exento de los requisitos de revisión ambiental del Título Veintiuno del Código Municipal de San José, que implementa CEQA," Naughton told the commission, and staff recommended extending the CEQA applicability and approving the conditional‑use permit.

In response to commissioners’ questions, developer representative Max Christian (introduced in the record as representing Neulief Energy) detailed the company’s experience and safety systems. Christian said the company has developed several projects in California and described millisecond‑level remote monitoring and escalation protocols intended to detect voltage or temperature anomalies long before emergency responders are needed. "Se monitorean de forma remota a nivel del módulo de la batería en cuanto a voltaje y temperatura, que se monitorean en un centro de operación de red que es remoto," he said.

Christian and staff contrasted the proposed containerized design with earlier, large‑warehouse installations cited in the Moss Landing incidents. He described each container as holding about 40 modules (five racks of eight batteries) and said each pod contains roughly 5 megawatts of capacity. Christian told the commission that newer systems include active cooling, remote shutdown and suppression agents designed to prevent unit‑to‑unit propagation of thermal events.

Deputy Fire Chief James Jobson told commissioners that San José requires rigorous plan review and large‑scale fire testing for energy‑storage systems. "Requerimos una prueba de fuego a gran escala... y deben enviar esa unidad a una prueba de fuga de destrucción térmica completa con el objetivo de que no haya propagación de una unidad a otra," Jobson said, adding that the department participates in national working groups and NFPA code development.

Commissioners questioned whether the batteries would be charged by renewable generation. Christian replied that individual electrons cannot be traced on the grid but said batteries typically charge at midday when solar generation is abundant and that storage can lower peak prices through arbitrage. He noted the project’s expected role in reducing reliance on gas peaker plants during high‑demand periods.

After discussion, Commissioner Young moved to approve the permit based on the presentations by staff, the applicant and the fire department; a second was recorded though the transcript does not name the seconder. The commission then voted in favor of the permit; the chair announced the motion carried with ten votes in favor and one absence.

Votes at a glance: The planning commission approved the conditional‑use permit for the 100‑MW battery facility at 6050 San Ignacio Avenue, 10 in favor, none opposed, one absence. Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the consent calendar (minutes of Dec. 10, 2025) on a motion by Commissioner Cantrell with a second from Vice President Bigford.

The commission’s decision is advisory for rezonings but is the formal local action for conditional‑use permits; appeals procedures and certain legal protest rights under the municipal code were reviewed during the meeting. Staff flagged that additional City Council hearings and ordinance adjustments related to statewide housing and planning changes may return to the commission for follow up.