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County signs site-control agreement with energy-storage developer to study fairgrounds location
Summary
After a presentation on a hybrid battery and flywheel storage system, the board authorized a site-control agreement with developer Torres/Sunstone to allow Pacific Power to study a potential ground-lease site at the Madras fairgrounds; the agreement is a preliminary step before any lease and included discussion on safety, noise and potential lease revenue.
Representatives of Torres (presented as Sunstone/Torres in the meeting) outlined a proposed pilot energy-storage installation at the Madras fairgrounds: hybrid LFP batteries combined with a flywheel to provide grid resiliency at the circuit/substation level. Presenters described a small footprint (3,000–6,000 square feet) near existing power infrastructure, remote monitoring and an operations plan that would include fencing, cameras and local staff for 24/7 oversight.
Ben Seastrand (Torres, on the call) explained the near-term steps and the purpose of a short, two-page site-control agreement: to allow the company to submit the site to Pacific Power for a grid study that typically takes two to four weeks. He framed the arrangement as giving the county an opportunity to negotiate a ground lease later and said the site-control proposal would not cost the county: “It’s no cost, obviously, to the county or the fairgrounds.” Commissioners asked about safety (fumes, fire propagation, proximity to people) and noise; presenters described safety design features, certification and containment that they said prevent propagation beyond individual cells and said flywheels are semi‑submerged for protection. Commissioners directed staff and counsel to review the site-control agreement; the board then moved to sign the site-control agreement between Jefferson County and Tortoise Land Development LLC (Torres’ local vehicle) and the motion passed.
During the discussion commissioners asked for follow-up on likely lease terms and revenue (presenters offered a conservative illustrative figure of $8 per square foot, which would equate to about $32,000 per year on a 4,000-square-foot footprint), noise levels (presenters said decibel effects would be minimal beyond close proximity) and emergency/repair protocols. The site-control agreement will permit the Pacific Power study; subsequent lease terms and final siting will return to the board for approval if the system proceeds.
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