Rigs to Renewables: Demonstrated Application of Networked, Gravity-based Multi-Duration Energy Storage in Idle Oil and Gas Wells
Summary
SCH Number
2025090556
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Rigs to Renewables: Demonstrated Application of Networked, Gravity-based Multi-Duration Energy Storage in Idle Oil and Gas Wells
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/12/2025
Document Description
The purpose of this agreement is to fund the installation, grid service validation, lifetime testing, and UL certification of the a multi-well demonstration project of networked gravitational energy storage in five idle oil wells in Kern County. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of the use of otherwise curtailed renewable energy and accelerate the commercial adoption of Gravity Well (GrW) energy storage technology.
Contact Information
Name
Zoe Marshall
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Utilities Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Sarah Douglas
Agency Name
Renewell Energy Inc
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Shafter
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Shafter Ave, Imperial St
Zip
93263
Other Location Info
30540 Imperial St Shafter 93263
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15301, provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public and private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that at the time of the lead agency’s determination, are categorically exempt from CEQA. The physical aspects of this work will involve reuse of existing oil wells and oil field sites that are already disturbed and do not constitute an alteration to, or significant change in use of, the immediate environment. For these reasons, the proposed work will not have any significant effect on the environment and is exempt from CEQA under Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15301.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15303
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, tit. 14, §15303, provides that projects which consist of the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure are categorically exempt from CEQA. The project will extend the existing electric field and update electrical connections, without increasing the overall facility footprint. For this reason, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt from CEQA under California Code of Regulations, tit. 14, §15303.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15306, provides that projects which consist of data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, and which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from CEQA. In this project, data and information will be collected on the performance of gravitational energy storage in idle oil wells. For this reason, the proposed work will not have any significant impact on the environment and is exempt from CEQA under Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15306
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15311
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, title 14, §15311, Accessory Structures, provides that projects which consist of the construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities are categorically exempt from CEQA. The project will install five Gravity Well energy storage systems to existing decommissioned oil wells. The systems will be integrated off-site, will utilize existing concrete pads to anchor when installed on-site, and are easily removeable. For this reason, the project will consist of a minor structure accessory to an existing industrial facility and is categorically exempt from CEQA through California Code of Regulations, tit. 14, §15311.
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code §65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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