Proposed Mt. Kisco Energy Storage System Key to a More Resilient Grid
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The article “Proposed Mt. Kisco Energy Storage Facility Raises Safety Concerns,” (June 10) details the deliberation surrounding the potential development of a battery energy storage facility (BESS). While town officials grapple over the village’s zoning code and whether developments of this sort should be permitted as a type of public utility, residents express concerns over safety.
If battery energy storage facilities are not yet considered public utilities, they should be. They are the cornerstone of a cleaner, smarter, more resilient power grid. In America, we have enough power plants to generate nearly twice as much energy as we need. But our current electrical grid has no way of storing the extra energy that is generated.
Battery storage systems change all that, placing what are effectively backup generators in our towns, so that when the line to the power station goes down in one of our increasingly frequent violent storms, the power stays on.
Battery storage systems are also safe. They adhere to strict federal, state and local safety requirements. Each system is equipped with automatic fire suppression equipment, and its own cooling system to ensure it operates within the ideal temperature range. BESS developers work with local fire departments to ensure they have adequate training and equipment to respond to any safety issues that may arise.
BESS are key to a more resilient electric grid, lower electric bills and cleaner air. State officials and residents alike should learn more about the systems and integrate their development into zoning codes.
Bridget McFadden
Sleepy Hollow
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