This battery energy storage system (BESS) project was launched to solve a specific challenge: deliver clean, reliable energy to a community that is routinely threatened by wildfire, flood, and extreme heat. The local electric utility partnered with Beta Engineering to expand and upgrade the existing microgrid with solutions designed to endure harsh environmental conditions.

Throughout the project, Beta Engineering and the utility developed innovative approaches to overcome engineering and construction challenges—adapting conventional BESS strategies to address site-specific hurdles like elevated battery pack placement, pier installation in collapsable soil, and protection from both wildlife and flash floods.

This project expanded the site’s BESS capacity by 6.7 megawatts (MW), bringing the total to 8 MW. It also enabled the microgrid to operate on 100% clean energy from two nearby solar farms and residential rooftop systems.

By implementing advanced BESS infrastructure, the utility strengthened grid resilience, expanded access to renewable energy, and demonstrated the potential for BESS deployment in high-risk environments.

The project is in a region that presents several environmental risks. It’s located in a flood plain and experiences extreme heat and seasonal monsoons, all of which complicate design and construction.

Key Design and Construction Strategies

• Elevated Equipment: To protect vital systems from floodwater and wildlife, Beta helped the utility develop an elevated platform solution. Structural supports were engineered for all equipment, along with access platforms and fiberglass-reinforced plastic handrails for safety. Custom riser templates ensured accurate installation, and enclosures were added beneath elevated equipment to prevent animal nesting.
• Breakaway Fencing: A custom fence with breakaway panels was designed to allow floodwater and debris to flow through without compromising site integrity, minimizing erosion and long-term damage.
• Soil Stability: Pier foundations were installed using a wet-hole drilling method with polymer slurry —an uncommon EPC approach chosen specifically to stabilize collapsible soil while maintaining structural reliability.
• Heat Mitigation for Crews: During summer months, when temperatures routinely reached 110°F, construction crews adjusted shifts to begin at 3:30 am’ reducing exposure during peak heat hours.
• Thermal Risk Mitigation for Equipment: Battery modules were delivered on a just-in-time schedule to prevent prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80°F, which could degrade battery performance without auxiliary power for cooling.

Project Outcome

This BESS project went beyond traditional infrastructure. It delivered a resilient, renewable power system tailored to the region’s environmental risks while supporting the utility’s broader goals for carbon reduction, customer equity, and operational continuity.