Battery energy storage facilities are subject to the following regulations:
(A) Definitions.
(1) Battery energy storage facilities: One or more battery cells for storing electrical energy in a battery energy storage system ("BESS") with a battery management system ("BMS").
(2) Battery energy storage system: A physical container providing secondary containment to battery cells that is equipped with cooling, ventilation, fire suppression, and a battery management system.
(3) Battery management system: An electronic regulator that manages a battery energy storage system by monitoring individual battery module voltages and temperatures, container temperature and humidity, off-gassing of combustible gas, fire, ground fault and DC surge, and door access and capable of shutting down the system before operating outside safe parameters.
(B) Utility lines and electrical circuitry. All on-site utility lines shall be placed underground to the extent feasible and as permitted by the serving utility, with the exception of the main service connection at the utility company right-of-way and any new interconnection equipment, including without limitation any poles, with new easements and right-of-way.
(C) Buildings are subiect to the lot and building standards of the underlying zoning district.
(D) Security barrier. Battery energy storage facilities must be enclosed by perimeter security fencing or other county-approved barrier with a minimum height of at least six feet unless housed in a dedicated-use building. The use of barbed wire or razor wire that runs along the top of chain linked fences is permitted. Existing perimeter fencing or county-approved barriers can be used if they meet the requirements above.
(E) A battery energy storage system is not classified as cargo container for the purpose of § 155-10.10(K).
(F) Submittal requirements for battery energy storage facilities that are subiect to a special use permit. All applications for special use permit approval must include the following information.
(1) Preliminary site plan identifying the following:
(a) Subject property induding the property lines, setback lines, and right-of-way lines.
(b) Physical features including but not limited to roads, floodplain(s) (if applicable), wetland(s) (if applicable), existing and proposed building(s), solar panels and equipment (number, location, and spacing of solar panels/arrays), proposed locations of underground or overhead electric lines and utility poles, landscaping, and fencing.
(2) Identification of proposed construction and ongoing maintenance routes from the nearest arterial road as detailed on a map.
(3) Letter of intent with the applicable road authority that acknowledges the proposed project and a preliminary agreement with the road district's requirements. Or certified letter with return receipt requested evidencing a good faith effort to contact the applicable road authority.
(4) Proposed product cut-sheets.
(5) Visual screening report that includes the following:
(a) A map of homes within 300 feet of the facility,
(b) Locations and type of existing vegetation that provides screening of views of the facility,
(c) Locations of homes within the subject property and residential properties that have waived visual screening, and
(d) Topographic features that provide screening of the facility.
(6) Interconnection service agreement or evidence of filing required interconnection service applications with the electric utility.
(7) Preliminary operation and maintenance plan of the battery energy storage facility, including measures for maintaining safe access to the installation, stormwater controls, landscaping maintenance, as well as general procedures for operation and maintenance of the installation.
(8) Proof of liability insurance.
(9) Preliminary emergency services plan, including but not limited to the project summary, electrical schematic and means of shutting down the battery energy storage facility throughout the life of the installation.
(10) Redacted copy of the memorandum of lease for the subject property.
(11) Notice of development letters. The owner/operator must mail letters to Will County Board representatives for the district in which the battery energy storage facility is to be built as well as to the respective township, Will/South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District, and to all municipalities located within 1.5 miles of the battery energy storage facility.
(Ord. 22-256, passed 10-20-2022)