:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/V7ENN6EYI5BZ7DRE7Z4AYLELVY.png)
A battery energy storage facility could be headed to Hampton soon, even though Planning Commission members had some safety questions.
The commission approved recommending the 29-megawatt battery storage facility during its May 18 meeting. The facility, which would be located at 3201 Commander Shepard Blvd. in the Langley Research & Development Park, stores electrical power in large lithium-ion battery cells.
The project, from Arlington-based Delorean Power, is one of several battery storage facilities that have popped up all over the country recently. Another battery storage facility is headed to Chesapeake’s Deep Creek neighborhood, with plans to be operational by 2028. James City County supervisors approved a 22.35-megawatt facility in November.
As the name implies, Delorean says the technology allows generated power to be stored for later use in the electrical grid. The company has already entered a 15-yearslong power purchase agreement with Dominion Energy, who plans to use the installation in its energy grid.
At the commission meeting, Ricky Elder, Delorean Power director of development, noted the project has a life span of at least 20 years.
Inside Business
“It will be providing benefits to not only the city of Hampton, but more broadly the power grid within the state of Virginia for at least the next 15 years,” Elder said.
Some commissioners voiced questions and concerns about the safety plans for fires or other emergencies at the facility. In September, a Tesla battery pack caught fire at a similar California facility and caused part of the state’s Highway 1 to shut down temporarily.
Delorean Power Chief Technology Officer Joseph Leavitt said a battery management system helps prevent the batteries from getting overcharged or reaching excessive temperatures, which can both lead to fires. Additionally, he said the site does not require any special equipment from fire departments that might help to contain a blaze.
A city staff member said the fire department had been consulted on the project, and the city plans to install an additional fire hydrant at the site.
The project now heads to Hampton City Council for approval. Michael Herbert, Delorean co-founder and managing partner, said he hopes to have the site operational by the end of 2024.
Delorean also hopes to construct a larger 189-megawatt battery storage facility at a site adjacent to the proposed project in the future.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com