Report on Isle of Wight’s Draft Battery Storage System Ordinance

Published 4:39 pm Thursday, June 26, 2025

Introduction

Isle of Wight County is proactively developing regulations for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to align with sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry innovation (SDG 9), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13). The county’s Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance on June 24, 2025, aiming to manage the deployment of shipping container-sized battery units emerging in Virginia.

Background and Context

• The draft ordinance is modeled after similar regulations in Amelia and Hanover counties and the city of Chesapeake, as well as Isle of Wight’s 2023 solar farm ordinance amendment.
• A five-member energy task force recommended early ordinance development in 2024, emphasizing preparedness before BESS projects arrive locally.
• BESS technology supports grid reliability by storing energy during low demand and releasing it at peak times, enhancing renewable energy efficiency and reducing land use.
• Neighboring Surry County has already adopted a BESS ordinance following a proposed project by Idaho-based developer Clenera.

Key Provisions of the Draft Ordinance

1. Definition and Classification: BESS is defined as one or more devices capable of storing and supplying electrical energy, excluding standalone car batteries or electric vehicles. BESS will be classified as a major utility service under civic uses.
2. Setback Requirements: Projects must be located at least 5,000 feet from public roads and property lines, with conditional use permits allowing a minimum of 1,000 feet setback upon Board of Supervisors approval.
3. Zoning and Permitting: The Planning Commission must decide whether BESS projects are allowed “by right” in any zoning district or require conditional use permits and public hearings. Commissioner Jennifer Boykin expressed preference against by-right allowances.
4. Land Use and Farmland Protection: Consideration is being given to capping BESS land use under the existing 2% prime farmland limit established for solar farms, as supported by Commissioner Brian Carroll.
5. Safety and Environmental Measures: Projects must be surrounded by berms and developed in collaboration with technical experts and first responders to ensure safe energy storage practices.

Challenges and Safety Considerations

• Battery storage systems pose fire risks, with emergency preparedness protocols currently lagging behind technological advances.
• The task force noted that current protocol involves allowing electrical fires to burn out, highlighting a need for improved safety measures.
• The proposed “Bear Island” BESS project in Surry County incorporates a battery management system to maintain safe operating temperatures and minimize fire risk.

Next Steps and Public Engagement

1. The Planning Commission will finalize the ordinance language.
2. The draft will be advertised for a public hearing to gather community input.
3. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission will vote on a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
4. The Board of Supervisors will hold its own public hearing before a final vote on the ordinance.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: The ordinance supports the integration of battery storage to enhance renewable energy efficiency and grid reliability.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Encourages innovative energy storage solutions and infrastructure development in line with modern energy needs.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Promotes safe and well-regulated energy storage systems to protect communities and land resources.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: Facilitates the reduction of carbon emissions by supporting renewable energy storage and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article discusses battery energy storage systems (BESS) which enhance grid reliability and efficiency of solar energy, directly contributing to clean energy solutions.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The ordinance aims to regulate battery storage systems within Isle of Wight County, ensuring safe and sustainable urban planning and infrastructure development.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • By promoting energy storage that supports renewable energy use and grid efficiency, the article relates to actions mitigating climate change impacts.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The development and regulation of innovative battery storage infrastructure aligns with building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights concerns about fire risks and emergency preparedness related to battery storage, linking to health and safety considerations.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Proportion of population with access to electricity (implied by improved grid reliability via BESS).
   • Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (implied by the integration of solar energy with battery storage).
   • Energy storage capacity installed (implied by the development and regulation of BESS projects).
2. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Number of cities with implemented urban policies on sustainable infrastructure (implied by the ordinance development process).
   • Incidence of fire and emergency events related to energy infrastructure (implied by fire risk and emergency preparedness discussions).
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Number of localities with climate adaptation and resilience plans (implied by proactive ordinance development and emergency protocols).
4. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Investment in clean energy infrastructure (implied by the battery storage projects and regulations).
5. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Capacity of emergency services to respond to technological hazards (implied by collaboration with first responders and safety protocols).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: smithfieldtimes.com