Hybrid Modular Storage System (HMSS) as a long-duration energy storage technology Demonstration
Summary
SCH Number
2026030640
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Hybrid Modular Storage System (HMSS) as a long-duration energy storage technology Demonstration
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/16/2026
Document Description
This project is a grant to demonstrate a long duration energy storage solution based on mixed integration of energy storage technologies, including vanadium redox flow battery, zinc hybrid cathode battery, and mechanical flywheel. Project will provide benefits to the recipient, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar facilities and surrounding areas and ratepayers.
Contact Information
Name
Elyse Kedzie
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Jessica L Cadreau
Agency Name
Indian Energy LLC
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Alpine, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Multiple
Other Location Info
2515 Bauer Rd, San Diego 92145
5000 Willows Rd., Alpine 91901
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301
Reasons for Exemption
MCAS Miramar Location:
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, § 15301 exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, and minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use. This project will consist of the installation, connection, and demonstration of modular long duration energy storage technologies at an existing military facility. Minor alteration of existing facilities and mechanical equipment in the form of reconfiguration of existing electrical infrastructure will take place before location of skid mounted modular energy storage units are brought into the existing facilities. Additional minor alterations to topographical features include minor grading and/or trenching for concrete pads. This project willresult in negligible or no expansion of use and is also subject to a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusion related to existing federal facilities. Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
This project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; 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; 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 sites are not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 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 section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians Location:
This project is covered by the Common Sense Exemption under Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15061 (b) (3) that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
This project will take place on tribal land, but off-reservation impacts must still be evaluated under Government Code section 12012.101(b)(2), but this project is exempt under the “common sense” CEQA exemption because the proposed project will not:
• construct on or alter any off-reservation land;
• impact local air quality;
• use groundwater resources or otherwise impact any off-reservation water resources;
• build additional transportation infrastructure;
• generate additional traffic volumes;
• increase, once the project is complete, ambient noise beyond the existing commercial activities; or
• degrade the visual character or quality of off-reservation views, including those of scenic resources or objectsof aesthetic significance.
The project will test a microgrid system combining a vanadium redox flow battery, zinc hybrid battery, and kinetic flywheel within previously disturbed areas at the Viejas Indian Reservation Business Enterprises commercial facility of the Viejas Reservation in order to deliver 400kW of power for a duration of 10 hours. The microgrid system is an existing facility within the interior of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indian Reservation with no expansion beyond the reservation operation. The testing of the microgrid system will result in a negligible number of regular operational trips for maintenance. Best management practices will be used during operation of the microgrid system. Therefore, no adverse effects to off-site air or water quality will occur as a result of the project. The operation of the microgrid system would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of off-reservation visual resources, as the system components are not visually obtrusive. The project will not have a significant adverse effect on the off-reservation environment due to unusual circumstances, result in a significant cumulative impact, damage resources within a designated state scenic highway, cause a substantial adverse change to the significance of a historical resource, or be located on a listed hazardous waste site. Based on all these factors, the proposed project meets the CEQA “common sense” exemption.
The project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; 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 section 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 section 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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