Securing Bulk Grid Reliability with a Zero-Emission High-Density Distributed Asset
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024090567
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Securing Bulk Grid Reliability with a Zero-Emission High-Density Distributed Asset
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/17/2026
Document Description
The Regents of the University of California, University of California San Diego (UCSD) owns and operates an existing microgrid electrical distribution system with onsite generation and storage. The microgrid is powered by the UCSD’s existing energy infrastructure and consists of a 30-megawatt (MW) cogeneration plant, 3 MW of existing solar photovoltaic (PV), a 2.5 MW/5.0 megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) and all electrical assets including 12 kV distribution lines, high voltage switchgear, transformers, and associated metering equipment downstream of a 69 kilovolt (kV) substation which is owned and operated by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). SDG&E provides transmission and distribution services only.
The project will upgrade the microgrid’s existing 2.5 MW/5.0 MWh lithium-ion BESS component with a more efficient BESS with a nameplate capacity of 8 MW/ 32 MWh. The nameplate capacity of the existing BESS, installed in 2015 and operational since 2016, is a 2.5 MW/ 5.0 MWh system. Due to cycle aging degradation of the lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, string imbalances and software maintenance issues, the existing system’s output can no longer maintain the 2.5 MW/5.0 MWh output. The more efficient BESS would not result in higher energy consumption or expansion of the utilities plant. The minor alteration of the microgrid’s BESS component will secure the UCSD’s microgrid’s reliability and will connect to the existing 12 kV system, mitigate peak load at the SDG&E substation.
The current BESS to be removed is sited at the East Campus Utility Plant. The upgraded BESS will be installed at a graded site at the Central Utility Plant, utilizing existing electrical infrastructure within the campus microgrid, and connect to the bulk electricity system at the same interconnection point. The proposed project meets and exceeds the solicitation goals of prioritizing and accelerating the implementation of feasible and cost-effective zero-emission resources to achieve bulk grid reliability. The project is consistent with the California Energy Commission’s mission of leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future and will contribute to meeting California’s clean energy goals and support grid reliability.
Contact Information
Name
Renee Webster-Hawkins
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Senior Attorney IV
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Zip
92093
Parcel #
790-2579-102
Schools
UC San Diego
Other Information
9239 Herbert York Lane, La Jolla, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301(b)
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301, subdivision (b) provides that the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, such as existing facilities of investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
This project will involve upgrading the existing BESS at the UCSD East Campus Utility Plant at 9413 Voight Drive, San Diego (APN 760-2511-700), currently rated at 2.5 MW/5.0 MWh, with a new lithium-ion BESS with a capacity nameplate of 8 MW/ 32 MWh to be located at the UCSD Central Utilities Plant at 9239 Herbert York Ln, La Jolla (APN 760-2579-102). The existing and proposed BESS are components of the existing microgrid. The project site is approximately one-half acre of a graded, paved, and prepared site located immediately adjacent to the UCSD Central Utility Plant.
The current BESS will be removed and decommissioned. Work required to install the new BESS containers includes the construction of new concrete footings for the containers and 3 new 3 MW transformers, 50 feet of underground trenching between the containers and the 12 kV switchgear, installation of underground electrical conduits and associated conductor pulls, replacement fill and poured asphalt above the trenching, and crane lifts for each of the containers and transformers. The project will involve the minor alteration of an existing microgrid with a more efficient BESS. This project will result in negligible or no expansion of use of the UCSD microgrid including the Central Utility Plan and East Campus Utility Plant beyond that already existing.
University of California San Diego, with approval authority delegated by The Regents of the University of California have deemed the project as an allowed modification to the existing UCSD Central Utility Plant and East Campus Utility Plant and it does not require a local discretionary permit. The installation of the upgraded BESS, which is a component of the campus microgrid, will be a minor alteration of an existing utility system for the UCSD microgrid with no physical expansion beyond the existing system footprint.
The upgrade of the existing BESS will not result in a significant cumulative impact, there is no reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, it will not damage resources within a scenic highway, it will not cause substantial adverse change to the significance of a historic resource, and it is not located on a listed site pursuant to Government Code 65962.5. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301, subdivision (b).
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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