Report on the Proposed Pier S Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Strategic Objectives

A proposal has been submitted by Lighthouse Pier S LLC for the construction and operation of a 70-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Port of Long Beach. The proposed site encompasses approximately 2.9 acres at 2665 Pier S Lane, part of the existing Long Beach Power Plant site. The project is a direct response to a mandate from the California Public Utilities Commission aimed at ensuring the stability of the state’s electrical grid. This initiative is critical as California advances its transition towards greater reliance on renewable energy sources, directly supporting key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Pier S BESS project is fundamentally aligned with the global agenda for sustainable development. Its implementation will provide significant contributions to the following SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The primary function of the BESS is to enhance grid reliability and capacity, which is essential for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By storing excess energy and deploying it during peak demand, the project directly supports Target 7.2, which aims to increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This project represents a significant investment in building resilient, sustainable, and innovative infrastructure. The BESS is a modern technological solution that upgrades the region’s energy infrastructure, contributing to Target 9.1 by developing reliable and sustainable infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By stabilizing the electrical grid, the BESS enhances the resilience and sustainability of the urban infrastructure serving Long Beach and the wider community. The public consultation process also embodies the principles of Target 11.3 by promoting inclusive and sustainable urbanization and participatory planning.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Facilitating a greater uptake of renewable energy is a critical strategy for climate change mitigation. The BESS project strengthens the grid’s capacity to handle renewables, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting national efforts to combat climate change, in line with the objectives of SDG 13.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is a multi-stakeholder partnership involving a private entity (Lighthouse Pier S LLC), a public authority (Port of Long Beach), and state-level governance (California Public Utilities Commission). The engagement with community members for feedback further strengthens this partnership, reflecting the collaborative approach required by SDG 17 to achieve sustainable development.

Technical Specifications and Scope of Work

The proposed development includes the installation and operation of a comprehensive energy storage facility. Key components and associated works include:

• Approximately 100 fire-rated metal containers housing advanced lithium-ion batteries.
• Essential supporting infrastructure, including electrical equipment, fiber-optic cabling for communication, and integrated cooling and monitoring systems.
• An upgrade to the adjacent Long Beach Bus Substation to accommodate the new capacity.
• Site preparation involving the removal of three existing buildings and the demolition of obsolete saltwater intake pipe sections.

Public Consultation and Environmental Impact Assessment

To ensure the project aligns with community and environmental standards, a public consultation process has been initiated to inform the preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The public is invited to participate and provide input through the following channels:

1. In-Person Scoping Meeting: Held on Wednesday, August 6, at the Port’s Administrative Building.
2. Virtual Scoping Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, at 2 p.m. via WebEx (Access Code: 2487 711 3303).
3. Written Comments Submission: Feedback will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, August 29. Comments can be submitted via email to piersbess@polb.com or by mail to the Director of Environmental Planning at the Port of Long Beach.

Project documentation, including the Notice of Preparation, is available for public review at www.polb.com/ceqa.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 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 development of a battery energy storage system (BESS) designed to support the state’s increasing reliance on renewable energy. This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to clean and modern energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The project involves building new, resilient infrastructure (the BESS facility) and upgrading existing systems (the Long Beach Bus Substation). This represents an investment in sustainable infrastructure and the adoption of innovative technology to support the energy sector.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The project is located within the Port of Long Beach, a key part of the city’s infrastructure. The article highlights a public consultation process, inviting community members to participate in planning and shaping the environmental impact report, which relates to inclusive and sustainable urban development.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – By facilitating the storage and use of renewable energy, the BESS project is a direct measure to combat climate change. It helps stabilize the electric grid as it transitions away from fossil fuels, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The project is a collaboration between a private company (Lighthouse Pier S LLC), a public entity (Port of Long Beach), and is a response to a mandate from a state-level commission (California Public Utilities Commission). It also involves partnership with the public through community meetings, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach.

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

1. Target 7.2: “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The article states the project is a response to “the state increases its reliance on renewable energy.” The BESS is critical for this, as it stores energy from intermittent sources like solar and wind, making them a more reliable part of the energy mix.
2. Target 7.b: “By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all…” The proposal for a “70-megawatt battery energy storage system” with “lithium-ion batteries, along with supporting infrastructure” is a direct example of expanding and upgrading technology for sustainable energy.
3. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.” The project’s stated purpose is to “stabilize California’s electric grid,” which is a core component of building reliable and resilient infrastructure.
4. Target 11.3: “By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management…” The article details the public engagement process, including in-person and virtual meetings where “community members” can “weigh in on a proposal” and submit “written feedback” to “help shape the environmental impact report,” which exemplifies participatory planning.
5. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The project is a direct result of the “California Public Utilities Commission’s mandate to stabilize California’s electric grid,” which is a state-level policy measure integrated into planning to manage the transition to renewable energy as a climate action strategy.

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

1. Indicator for Target 7.b: The article provides a specific measure of the investment in new energy infrastructure: the “70-megawatt” capacity of the proposed battery energy storage system. This is a quantifiable indicator of the expansion of infrastructure for sustainable energy.
2. Indicator for Target 9.1: The project’s goal to “stabilize California’s electric grid” serves as a qualitative indicator of improving infrastructure reliability. The physical scale of the project, occupying “a nearly 3-acre section” and including “about 100 fire-rated metal containers,” provides a tangible measure of the new infrastructure being developed.
3. Indicator for Target 11.3: The article explicitly describes a direct participation structure for civil society. The holding of public meetings (“The first meeting took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6… A virtual session will follow on Wednesday, Aug. 20”) and the formal process for collecting public comments (“Written feedback will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29”) are direct, observable indicators of participatory planning in action.
4. Indicator for Target 13.2: The “California Public Utilities Commission’s mandate” is a clear indicator of a sub-national policy and plan designed to integrate climate change measures (transitioning to renewables) into regional energy planning.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sigtrib.com