Planning commission approves 100-MW battery storage project on San Ignacio Avenue

The San Jose Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a 100-megawatt battery energy storage facility at 6150 San Ignacio Avenue on a roughly 5.5-acre site, moving forward with a project proponents said will charge on low-cost midday solar and discharge during evening peak demand.

Planning Project Manager Cora McNaughton told commissioners the site will host battery modules, inverters and a collector substation, will not require demolition or tree removal, and was found exempt from environmental review under State CEQA Guidelines §15183. McNaughton recommended approval of the conditional use permit CP24-015 and associated entitlement ER24-139.

Max Christian, senior project developer for New Leaf Energy, described the design as containerized ‘‘pods’’ roughly 20 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet that hold about 40 battery modules; he said each container delivers about 5 megawatts. Christian said modern systems use cell-level millisecond monitoring, active cooling, remote shut-off and a chemical-mist suppression system intended to prevent thermal-runaway propagation from unit to unit.

‘‘These systems are very different from the early-generation installations,’’ Christian said, noting updates to codes and design since incidents at Moss Landing. He said the project would perform large-scale testing and meet code updates from NFPA 855 and guidance from state agencies.

Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal James Dobson said San Jose requires ‘‘rigorous testing’’ and plan analysis for energy storage systems, including destructive large-scale fire testing meant to demonstrate there is no unit-to-unit propagation. ‘‘I can tell you that the fire would be controlled and contained to that unit of origin, and it would not propagate from there,’’ Dobson said.

Commissioners asked about safety, how common facilities of this size are in the city, and the project’s grid function. Christian said the battery charges during midday when solar generation is high and discharges in evening peak hours; he argued location within a load pocket can lower wholesale prices and reduce reliance on gas peaker plants. Vice Chair Bickford and others discussed testing standards and San Jose’s ordinance language that defines large-scale fire testing.

Commissioner Young moved to approve the permit, Commissioner Casey seconded, and the commission adopted the motion by roll call with 10 yes votes and 1 absent (Commissioner Oliverio absent). The approved entitlements are recorded as CP24-015 and ER24-139. Staff said construction will include extended hours and Saturday work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as proposed.

Next steps include any building and fire-safety plan reviews, required large-scale testing demonstrations, and permitting steps before construction can begin.