Report on Proposed Battery Energy Storage System in Bellingham, Washington

Executive Summary

A proposal has been initiated by Mammoth Summit Power, an energy development company, to assess the viability of installing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on property owned by the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA). This project directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on energy, infrastructure, and sustainable communities. The initial step involves a non-binding letter of intent to facilitate site evaluation and lease negotiations, positioning the project as a key contributor to regional sustainability objectives.

Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Goals (SDG 17)

This initiative exemplifies a public-private partnership essential for achieving the SDGs. The primary stakeholders include:

• Mammoth Summit Power: The private sector developer responsible for the project’s implementation and operation.
• Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA): The public entity providing the land and supporting sustainable transport infrastructure.
• Puget Sound Energy (PSE): The utility that has identified the need for enhanced grid security, driving the project’s core objective.

Project Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The proposed BESS project is designed to advance several critical sustainability targets:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The system will enhance grid stability and security in the Irongate industrial neighborhood. By storing energy, BESS technology facilitates greater integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, contributing to a more reliable and clean energy supply.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This project represents an investment in modern, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure. It directly supports the industrial capacity of the Irongate area and the operational needs of the WTA, including its electric bus charging facilities.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving the reliability of the local power grid, the project strengthens the resilience of the community. It also supports the WTA’s transition to a sustainable public transportation system, which is fundamental to creating sustainable cities.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action: BESS installations are a critical component of climate change mitigation strategies. They enable a more efficient use of renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint of the regional energy grid.

Current Status and Procedural Considerations

The project is in its preliminary phase, with several key points defining its current status and path forward.

• Authorization: The WTA board has authorized its general manager to sign a non-binding letter of intent, permitting Mammoth Summit Power to proceed with due diligence.
• Site Specification: The proposed site is a 10,000-square-foot parcel of WTA-owned land located at 2123 E. Bakerview Road, which will accommodate the BESS unit as well as maintenance and parking space.
• Contingencies: Progress is contingent upon Mammoth Summit Power securing a contract with Puget Sound Energy and the subsequent negotiation and approval of a formal lease agreement by the WTA board.
• Safety and Resilience: Board members have raised important questions regarding fire suppression systems. Addressing these safety concerns is paramount to ensuring the project’s long-term viability and its contribution to resilient infrastructure (SDG 9). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ongoing improvements in BESS design and quality are continuously reducing failure rates.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the installation of a “battery energy storage system (BESS),” a critical technology for modernizing the energy grid. By enhancing “grid security,” such systems facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy supply.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The project involves developing new, resilient infrastructure in Bellingham’s “Irongate neighborhood,” described as an “industrial area.” The BESS represents an innovative technological solution to improve the reliability of essential infrastructure (the power grid), which is crucial for supporting industrial and economic activity.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is situated within a city and directly supports urban sustainable development. The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is a major stakeholder and a “big power user itself with its electric bus chargers.” A stable power grid, supported by the BESS, is essential for the reliable operation of electric public transportation, which is a cornerstone of a sustainable city.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. While the article doesn’t explicitly mention renewables, BESS are key enablers for increasing their share by storing energy and providing grid stability when sources like solar and wind are not active.
   • Target 7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all. The proposed BESS is a direct example of expanding and upgrading energy infrastructure with modern technology to ensure “grid security.”

2. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The project’s stated goal of addressing the need for “grid security” in an industrial area directly aligns with developing reliable and resilient infrastructure.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… The BESS project is an upgrade to the existing energy infrastructure, making it more capable of supporting sustainable technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy.

3. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… The project supports the WTA’s “electric bus chargers,” thereby enhancing the reliability and sustainability of the public transportation system in Bellingham.
   • Target 11.b: By 2030, significantly increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… resilience to disasters… The BESS enhances the resilience of the local power grid. Furthermore, the board member’s question about a “fire suppression system” reflects planning for the safety and resilience of this new urban infrastructure.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides qualitative information that can be seen as project-level indicators of progress, rather than quantitative national or global statistics. These include:

• Investment in Modern Energy Infrastructure (related to Target 7.b): The proposal itself to install a “battery energy storage system” serves as an indicator of investment in modern and sustainable energy infrastructure. The negotiation of a lease agreement and a contract with Puget Sound Energy are measurable steps in this process.
• Development of Resilient Infrastructure (related to Target 9.1): The project’s specific purpose to enhance “grid security” in the Irongate neighborhood is a direct, albeit qualitative, indicator of efforts to build more resilient infrastructure.
• Support for Sustainable Public Transport Infrastructure (related to Target 11.2): The article’s mention that the BESS would support the WTA’s “electric bus chargers” is an indicator of infrastructure development aimed at making public transport more sustainable. The operational reliability of the electric bus fleet could be a subsequent measure of success.
• Consideration of Safety and Resilience in Planning (related to Target 11.b): The specific question raised by a board member about installing a “fire suppression system” is an implied indicator that safety and resilience are being incorporated into the planning and negotiation process for new urban infrastructure.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cascadiadaily.com