Frequently Asked Questions

Vesper Energy provides innovative solutions to today’s complex energy challenges. Headquartered in the greater Dallas area, Vesper Energy is comprised of professionals who have collectively delivered more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects globally. Today, we own and operate 100 MW of solar projects, and our pipeline includes over 55 renewable energy and energy storage projects with a generating capacity of 17 GW; enough to power more than 2 million homes. Working with their customers, communities, and business partners, Vesper Energy develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the United States with the goal to build a better energy infrastructure. www.vesperenergy.com/about

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) use the same technology found in many widely used in consumer products, tools and electric vehicles, and well-designed BESS are safe and reliable. Fires involving BESS can occur, but only in extreme conditions. To reduce the risk of fire and ensure the safety of the system, each BESS is equipped with automatic fire suppression equipment, and its own air conditioning or cooling system to ensure it operates within the ideal temperature range. If a fire does occur, it is generally easily contained, and has only minimal, temporary impact on local air quality. Vesper Energy will work with local fire departments and emergency responders to ensure they have adequate training and equipment to respond to any safety issues that may arise.

The US EPA classifies and determines what qualifies as hazardous waste. Hazardous waste can range from liquids, solids, gases, or sludges and can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes. Recently, the US EPA released guidance requiring many types of lithium-ion batteries to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Juniper Creek Energy Storage is committed to following pertinent federal, state, and local disposal and recycling regulations. The high-quality Li-Ion batteries used for Vesper Energy’s BESS projects can be repurposed and reused in other utility-scale battery applications or downcycled and repurposed for other technology such as phones and tools. Each Li-ion battery unit is encased and compartmentalized to prevent any materials from interacting with the surrounding area. Juniper Creek Energy Storage is committed to following all relevant federal, state, and local regulations regarding environmental safety and will regularly review and update its policies to align with industry best practices.

Widespread adoption of BESS is still relatively new, so recycling opportunities are currently limited. However, the energy storage industry is working to develop recycling opportunities to meet future demand. Another option is to “downcycle” batteries and give them a second life in a different application when their performance falls below the level needed for a utility-scale power plant.

Juniper Creek is a 200-megawatt energy storage facility that will be located on 5.7 acres of land. Battery installations typically look like storage containers and have a relatively low profile (usually between 8-15 feet in height), so they have minimal visual impact. Landscaping and vegetative cover will be used to shield views of the facility from the adjacent residential neighborhood.

As with any development, Juniper Creek will be subject to California’s rigorous environmental protection regulations. Construction of the facility will create relatively minor disturbances from vehicle traffic, construction machinery, and equipment delivery over the course of a few months. Energy storage projects can be managed remotely and require minimal maintenance, so once the facility is operational, it will generate minimal vehicle trips. Juniper Creek’s proposed location is adjacent to a nature preserve that is part of the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan (SSHCP). The SSHCP seeks to protect species, natural communities, and aquatic resources while providing an improved environmental permitting process for “covered activity,” i.e., projects that impact listed special-status species, listed species habitat, or aquatic resources. The City of Rancho Cordova is one of the Land Use Authority Permittees under the SSHCP, and Juniper Creek Energy Storage falls within the SSHCP Plan Area as an Urban Development Area (UDA). Energy-generating projects such as solar and BESS are permitted within the UDA provided they meet all SSHCP criteria.

Solar energy makes for a great neighbor. It is quiet, can be hidden, and does not produce a smell. But don’t take our word for it, see what experts in the industry are saying about solar and property values: Source - SEIA.